Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of legislation protecting domestic cats from dangerous dogs.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is an offence for any dog to be dangerously out of control in any place. Crown Prosecution Service guidance indicates that attacks on other animals, including cats, may amount to a dog being dangerously out of control, particularly where a person is injured or may be injured. Owners may face imprisonment for up to 14 years and be banned from owning a dog. Enforcement following dog attacks is a matter for the police.
This Government keeps dog control legislation under review and works with the police, local authorities and animal welfare organisations to promote responsible ownership, support enforcement, improve public education and strengthen data on dog attacks.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to take steps to protect the UK beef industry from increased imports from countries with different production costs and regulatory requirements.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Based on current evidence, Defra does not consider it likely that there will be significant diversion of Brazilian meat into Great Britain. In 2025, UK imports from Brazil accounted for only 1.4% of UK beef supply and 1.5% of poultry meat supply, excluding imports of processed meat (e.g. corned beef). Brazilian exporters have a wide range of established alternative markets. Defra will continue to monitor developments closely.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of levels of Brazilian beef imports on farm incomes and the long-term viability of the UK beef sector.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Based on current evidence, Defra does not consider it likely that there will be significant diversion of Brazilian meat into Great Britain. In 2025, UK imports from Brazil accounted for only 1.4% of UK beef supply and 1.5% of poultry meat supply, excluding imports of processed meat (e.g. corned beef). Brazilian exporters have a wide range of established alternative markets. Defra will continue to monitor developments closely.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what safeguards are in place to prevent Brazilian beef imports adversely impacting British beef producers.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Based on current evidence, Defra does not consider it likely that there will be significant diversion of Brazilian meat into Great Britain. In 2025, UK imports from Brazil accounted for only 1.4% of UK beef supply and 1.5% of poultry meat supply, excluding imports of processed meat (e.g. corned beef). Brazilian exporters have a wide range of established alternative markets. Defra will continue to monitor developments closely.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of levels of Brazilian beef imports on UK beef farmers.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Based on current evidence, Defra does not consider it likely that there will be significant diversion of Brazilian meat into Great Britain. In 2025, UK imports from Brazil accounted for only 1.4% of UK beef supply and 1.5% of poultry meat supply, excluding imports of processed meat (e.g. corned beef). Brazilian exporters have a wide range of established alternative markets. Defra will continue to monitor developments closely.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what political appointments have been made to roles within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office since July 2000; and what the role and remuneration is for each appointee.
Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip
Since July 2000, the following individuals with political backgrounds have been appointed to ambassadorial or high commissioner roles:
Alastair Goodlad, High Commissioner to Australia (2000-2005);
Helen Liddell, High Commissioner to Australia (2005-2009);
Paul Boateng, High Commissioner to South Africa (2005-2009);
Baroness Amos, High Commissioner to Australia (2009-2010);
Edward Llewellyn, Ambassador to France (2016-2021);
Sir George Hollingbery, Ambassador to Cuba ( 2021 - 2025);
Sir Edward Llewellyn, Ambassador to Italy and San Marino (2022 - 2026); and
Lord Mandelson, Ambassador to the United States of America (2025).
Ambassadors and High Commissioners are appointed by His Majesty on the recommendation of the Foreign Secretary under the Royal Prerogative. Most are career members of the Diplomatic Service, although appointments may also be made from outside the Diplomatic Service.
Information relating to the remuneration of individual appointees is personal information and is not routinely disclosed.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what bus routes have been lost in West Dorset since 2010.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Buses in England outside London were deregulated by the Transport Act 1985 and are largely operated on a commercial basis, with bus operators responsible for decisions about routes and service levels. Consequently, local networks were often determined by commercial viability, and the Department does not hold data on local routes loss.
The Government is committed to delivering better buses nationwide through the Bus Services Act 2025 which put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England. Giving local leaders the powers to choose the model that works best for their area, whether it be bus franchising, strengthened Enhanced Partnerships or local authority bus companies, Government is working to ensure services reflect local community’s needs.
The Act includes a socially necessary local services measure. This requires local authorities to identify those services they consider are socially necessary. If withdrawal or substantial variation of these services is considered, the local authority and operator must work together to consider all possible options before making any significant changes. This layer of transparency ensures that the needs of the passenger remain at the centre of any decision-making process.
Dorset Council will receive £12.2 million under the Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG) from 2026/27 until 2028/29, in addition to the £3.8 million already received in 2025/26. Local authorities have the flexibility to use this grant to deliver the best outcomes for passengers in their area, whether through lower fares, more frequent services, or enhanced rural bus provision.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what bus routes have been lost in Dorset since 2010.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Buses in England outside London were deregulated by the Transport Act 1985 and are largely operated on a commercial basis, with bus operators responsible for decisions about routes and service levels. Consequently, local networks were often determined by commercial viability, and the Department does not hold data on local routes loss.
The Government is committed to delivering better buses nationwide through the Bus Services Act 2025 which put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England. Giving local leaders the powers to choose the model that works best for their area, whether it be bus franchising, strengthened Enhanced Partnerships or local authority bus companies, Government is working to ensure services reflect local community’s needs.
The Act includes a socially necessary local services measure. This requires local authorities to identify those services they consider are socially necessary. If withdrawal or substantial variation of these services is considered, the local authority and operator must work together to consider all possible options before making any significant changes. This layer of transparency ensures that the needs of the passenger remain at the centre of any decision-making process.
Dorset Council will receive £12.2 million under the Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG) from 2026/27 until 2028/29, in addition to the £3.8 million already received in 2025/26. Local authorities have the flexibility to use this grant to deliver the best outcomes for passengers in their area, whether through lower fares, more frequent services, or enhanced rural bus provision.