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Written Question
Arms Trade: Export Controls
Wednesday 18th December 2024

Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for arms export licences of the International Criminal Court arrest warrant for (a) Benjamin Netanyahu and (b) Yoav Gallant.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The UK respects the independence of the International Criminal Court in investigating the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

We have been clear that all parties must comply with International Humanitarian Law and take every possible step to minimise harm to civilians. The relevant licences remain suspended and the Government’s IHL assessment process continues to gather information from a wide range of sources, including statements from the UN, NGOs, and other organisations.


Written Question
Electricity: Meters
Thursday 12th December 2024

Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions he has had with Ofgem on steps it is taking to help consumers secure competitive tariffs when Radio Teleswitch Service meters are replaced.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises the importance of a smooth transition for consumers away from Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters. The Government is working closely with Ofgem, industry stakeholders, and energy suppliers through the RTS Taskforce which is working to upgrade all RTS meters before the switch off in June 2025. We will continue to work closely with Ofgem and the RTS Taskforce to tackle this issue and to ensure that consumers get a good deal.


Written Question
Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief
Tuesday 10th December 2024

Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans the Government has to appoint a Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief.

Answered by Anneliese Dodds - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

As the Deputy Prime Minister said in Parliament on 20 November, envoy appointments are under Ministerial consideration and will be decided upon in due course. We continue to use the strength of our global diplomatic network, including dedicated staff within the FCDO, to promote and protect Freedom of Religion or Belief around the world.


Written Question
Hamas and Israel: Arrest Warrants
Wednesday 4th December 2024

Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the International Criminal Court arrest warrants issued for (a) Benjamin Netanyahu, (b) Yoav Gallant and (c) Mohammed Deif.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern. We remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire, to bring an end to the devastating violence in Gaza. This is essential to protect civilians, ensure the release of hostages and to increase humanitarian aid into Gaza.


Written Question
Seed Potatoes: Contamination
Monday 2nd December 2024

Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the potential loss of revenue for seed potato farmers that lost potato cyst nematode clear status due to contamination during the construction of national infrastructure in the last 12 months.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Landowners, businesses and homeowners that have electrical equipment, such as pylons or towers, sited on their land have the right to compensation for the value of their land, as well as for any losses or expenses incurred. Acquiring authorities can also put in place discretionary schemes offering additional compensation. Such compensation is provided by network licence holders, not the Government.


Written Question
Seed Potatoes: Contamination
Monday 2nd December 2024

Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to compensate seed potato farmers that lose potato cyst nematode clear status due to contamination caused by the construction of national infrastructure including overhead lines.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Landowners, businesses and homeowners that have electrical equipment, such as pylons or towers, sited on their land have the right to compensation for the value of their land, as well as for any losses or expenses incurred. Acquiring authorities can also put in place discretionary schemes offering additional compensation. Such compensation is provided by network licence holders, not the Government.


Written Question
Renewable Energy: International Cooperation
Wednesday 27th November 2024

Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps with his international counterparts to negotiate a treaty on (a) ending fossil fuel (i) exploration and (ii) expansion, (b) phasing-out existing production of fossil fuels and (c) supporting a just transition to renewable energy.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK will work closely with international partners to deliver our commitments to transition away from fossil fuels, as agreed at COP28, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, while ensuring our energy security. The Government has also just launched a Global Clean Power Alliance to accelerate the transition to clean energy.


The UK’s international engagement is based on strong domestic leadership. One of the Government’s missions is to deliver clean power by 2030, and the Government will consult later this year on implementing the manifesto position not to issue new oil and gas licences to explore new fields.


Written Question
British Nationals Abroad: Coroners
Tuesday 19th November 2024

Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many coroners inquests have been held in (a) England and (b) Wales for the death of a UK national abroad in the last five years.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office received requests for documents to assist with coroner's inquests in England and Wales over the last five years (rounded to the nearest 100) as follows:

1,100 in 2019;

1,000 in 2020;

1,000 in 2021;

1,300 in 2022; and

1,300 in 2023.

The FCDO does not record separate figures for England and Wales. These figures may not be reflective of all deaths abroad where a coroner in England and Wales has taken forward an inquest as the FCDO may not have been contacted in every case. The Ministry of Justice produces statistics on coroners inquests: [https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coroners-and-burials-statistics].


Written Question
British Nationals Abroad: Death
Tuesday 19th November 2024

Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Bereavement abroad through homicide or culpable homicide - support: memorandum of understanding" between his Department and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, published on 30th September 2024, whether his Department has taken recent steps to amend its processes on the deaths of UK nationals abroad who were resident in Scotland.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Police Service of Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Death Certification Review Service and Victim Support Scotland details the support offered to bereaved families of British nationals who are killed through murder or culpable homicide abroad. The MoU was created to ensure that affected families resident in Scotland have clarity on the type of support available from the MoU signatories. FCDO consular staff will provide bereaved families with information on support available during initial contact with them.


Written Question
Community Energy: Finance
Monday 18th November 2024

Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what methodology his Department will use to allocate the £1 billion of funding for community energy to each of the nations in the UK.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

GBE will benefit all four nations, creating jobs and building supply chains across the whole of UK. GBE’s funding envelope provides a total amount for it to operate UK-wide.

We are resetting the Government’s approach to working with the devolved nations. We are working with the Northern Ireland Executive, and Scottish and Welsh Governments on the scope and opportunities for GBE’s work across the UK. The vision statement between the Scottish Government and DESNZ is a key step towards progressing this collaboration, including exploring opportunities for GBE to partner with the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme to support local energy in Scotland.