Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has assessed the adequacy of existing public interest powers to scrutinise potential takeovers of strategically important airlines.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The UK has a robust framework for scrutinising acquisitions where relevant public interest or national security concerns arise. Existing powers, including the National Security and Investment Act 2021, enable Government scrutiny and intervention where statutory tests are met.

In addition, any change of ownership involving a UK airline would need to satisfy the relevant aviation regulatory requirements and approvals. The Civil Aviation Authority are responsible for assessing compliance with those requirements and may refer matters to the Secretary of State.

The Government has no current plans to introduce additional public interest powers relating specifically to airline ownership.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to publish a timetable for ending emergency authorisations of neonicotinoid pesticides; and what discussions she has had with the Scottish Government on supporting farmers to transition to alternative means of pest management.

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

This Government has already taken decisive action on neonicotinoids: it set out plans to change existing policies to prevent the use of three neonicotinoid pesticides that threaten vital pollinators, including through emergency authorisations, in our policy statement of 21 December 2024. The Health and Safety Executive published updated guidance for emergency authorisations of pesticides on 11 September 2025. Negotiations are underway on a Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement with the EU; any further action can be considered once the new pesticides regulatory framework for Great Britain is agreed.

We regularly meet the devolved governments, including the Scottish government, to discuss pesticide use.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans her Department has to publish national guidance on the environmental impacts of AI data centres.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

DSIT engages regularly with DEFRA, the Environment Agency and DESNZ, to discuss the impact of AI data centres on the environment. Through the AI Energy Council, the Government is assessing and promoting energy efficiency and clean power solutions.

DSIT will also publish a National Policy Statement, which will establish clear expectations on the design and environmental considerations for data centres seeking development consent through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects planning process.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many Community Interest Companies registered have had Striking Off action suspended due to objections pertaining to Bounce Back Loans being received by the registrar.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

As of July 2026, there are 392 Community Interest Companies in receipt of a Bounce Back Loan which have an active objection in place.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what opportunities he has identified for Scottish manufacturers within the Government's defence spending programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Scottish manufacturers are well placed to benefit from the increased defence spending confirmed in the Defence Investment Plan. This includes opportunities arising from investment in maritime capabilities and the multi-billion pound transformation of HM Naval Base Clyde.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has considered deploying the UK International Search and Rescue team to support the international response following the earthquakes in Venezuela.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the Statement I made to the House on 6 July (HCWS185), announcing the deployment of a 68-person UK International Search and Rescue (UK ISAR) team with six specialist search dogs.