Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who in Government is responsible for issuing guidance and/or requirements for the retention, storage and back up of Cabinet ministers a) personal and b) professional whatsapp messages.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Cabinet Office is responsible for issuing guidance for the retention, storage and back up of Cabinet ministers Whatsapp messages.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many positions on standards bodies does the department currently fund and how many will be funded in 2030 following the implementation of the UK's Digital Standards Strategy.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department participates in various international standards development organisations (SDOs), including the International Telecommunication Union, European Telecommunication Standards Institute and Internet Engineering Task Force, in line with the UK’s Digital Standards Strategy. While the Department does not currently fund any specific positions within SDOs, it will continue to represent UK interests alongside industry and wider stakeholders. The UK champions an industry-led, multistakeholder approach to the development of digital standards and the Department is actively supporting efforts to widen stakeholder access to participation in SDOs.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the definition and application of trusted supplier in relation to cellular Internet of Things (IoT) modules.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Connected device security requires a layered approach that includes software, hardware and the processes that protect these devices against attack. Manufacturers of smart tech should use the device security principles, produced by the National Cyber Security Centre and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to identify which security mitigations should be included in their devices to protect against common cyber security threats and risks.
There is no single, formally defined, universally binding term called “trusted supplier”. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) uses assurance schemes rather than the term “trusted supplier”. Suppliers are assessed against defined standards and buyers can rely on this assurance as a proxy for trust. Cellular internet of things modules are treated no different from any other technology device in this regard. If the supplier of a cellular internet of things device meets the defined standards and other requirements of the relevant assurance scheme then it will be assured as appropriate.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the role of creative therapies in the care of people living with dementia.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs) and may include creative therapies. We expect ICBs to commission services based on local population needs, taking account of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
NICE guidance recommends that people living with dementia are offered a range of activities to promote wellbeing that are tailored to their needs and preferences. This guidance is available at the following link:
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason she proposes to use Starlink to improve Wi-Fi connectivity on trains rather than oneweb.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Once the procurement for this programme goes live and is concluded, that will determine the choice of supplier. Until then, no decision has been made.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the levels of support for women's rights within the new Syrian government and its administration.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to my statement on GOV.UK marking the one‑year anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime, available at the link below, which set out the UK's support for the efforts of the new Syrian Government to build a more stable, inclusive, and representative country. I further emphasised the importance of that inclusive political transition during President Al Sharaa's visit to the UK on 31 March, and in my written statement to the House on 29 April (HWCS1552).
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/minister-falconer-article-on-syria-anniversary-december-2025
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she expects the wifi on LNER to be improved.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Pending approval of the Business Case for low earth orbit satellite to improve passenger wifi, we will begin delivering the LEO upgrade in 2027, which will include LNER. Exact dates will be determined once the Business Case is approved.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department is taking to with the Syrian government to open up an inclusive political process that grants rights to all communities, including Kurds, Christians and Yazidis.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to my statement on GOV.UK marking the one‑year anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime, available at the link below, which set out the UK's support for the efforts of the new Syrian government to build a more stable, inclusive, and representative country. I further emphasised the importance of that inclusive political transition during President Al Sharaa's visit to the UK on 31 March, and in my written statement to the House on 29 April (HWCS1552).
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/minister-falconer-article-on-syria-anniversary-december-2025
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what conditions are currently attached to UK financial support to the Syrian government; and whether she plans to make future support contingent on the inclusion of all minority and religious groups in political processes.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to my statement on GOV.UK marking the one‑year anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime, available at the link below, which set out the UK's support for the efforts of the new Syrian government to build a more stable, inclusive, and representative country. I further emphasised the importance of that inclusive political transition during President Al Sharaa's visit to the UK on 31 March, and in my written statement to the House on 29 April (HWCS1552).
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/minister-falconer-article-on-syria-anniversary-december-2025
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure AI tools are safe by design to prevent the creation of child sexual abuse material.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.