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 merits of reducing the use of plastic packaging for unprocessed fruit and vegetables; and what steps her Department is taking to encourage a reduction in such packaging.

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

The Government is committed to reducing unnecessary plastic packaging for unprocessed fruit and vegetables, while ensuring food safety, product protection and avoiding increased food waste. pEPR incentivises producers to reduce packaging, increase reuse and improve recyclability. Government supports WRAP’s Packaging Pact, helping businesses address packaging challenges and accelerate circular solutions.

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 fast-growing broiler chicken breeds compared with slower-growing breeds on welfare; and whether she plans to develop a pathway to phase out the use of fast-growing breeds in favour of higher-welfare alternatives.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government has considered the findings from the Defra-funded Systematic Review of Evidence on Livestock Breeding, conducted by Queen’s University Belfast, on the potential welfare implications of fast-growing broiler chicken breeds compared to slower growing breeds. As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, the Government is considering how we can support voluntary efforts to move away from the use of fast-growing meat chicken breeds.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to end overfishing and support the recovery of fish stocks in UK waters.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Protecting and restoring fish stocks is a priority for this Government. We are implementing evidence-based Fisheries Management Plans, which set out actions to maintain or restore stocks to sustainable levels.

For stocks shared with other coastal states, we negotiate catch limits and other management measures informed by the best available scientific advice. Sustainability will remain central to our approach to negotiations for 2027 fishing opportunities, alongside consideration of the fishing industry and coastal communities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department had any discussions with US counterparts regarding reports that a US diplomat suspected of possessing indecent images of children was removed from the UK before police questioning could take place.

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

We expect all foreign diplomats in the UK to abide by our laws; in the same way we expect all UK diplomats to abide by local laws when posted overseas. The Metropolitan Police and US law enforcement are liaising regarding the investigation, and the Government remains in close contact with the US Embassy, including at Ministerial level. While a live US investigation is ongoing, we cannot comment any further.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether he plans to conduct a review of all extant export licences for military and dual-use goods destined for Israel.

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)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 September 2026 to questions UIN 29276 and 29277 on Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will commission an updated assessment of Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK considers the Government of Israel's commitment and capability to comply with international humanitarian law (IHL) in order to comply with our export licensing obligations. The Foreign Secretary is kept regularly updated on assessments. Our suspension of multiple export licences that might be used by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in Gaza remains fully in place as does our rejection of multiple new applications. We continue to raise concerns regarding compliance with IHL with the Government of Israel at all levels.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government plans to support multi-year funding for the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan (FFM) performs a vital role in documenting human rights violations and abuses, and supporting accountability. The UK is proud to hold its mandate and lead efforts on Sudan at the UN Human Rights Council.

Core funding for the FFM is determined through annual central UN allocations, regardless of the length of its mandate. On 5 October, the UK led the successful renewal of the FFM's mandate at the UN Human Rights Council, with the strongest support yet, including from four African states. This sends the strongest signal that impunity in Sudan will not be tolerated.

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 impact of United States sanctions and restrictions on the humanitarian situation in Cuba.

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

I refer the Honourable Member to the responses I gave in the Urgent Question debate on 8 June.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking with international partners to mitigate the humanitarian impact of United States sanctions and restrictions on Cuba.

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

I refer the Honourable Member to the responses I gave in the Urgent Question debate on 8 June.

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Emily Thornberry (Chair); Fleur Anderson; Alex Ballinger; Aphra Brandreth