Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to promote the drafting of NICE guidelines on early intervention by clinicians to treat infants diagnosed with Hemiplegia; and what recent assessment his department has made of the relative effectiveness of treatment for this form of brain injury or deformity if attempted (a) prior to and (b) only after an infant's first one thousand days of life.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
There are no current plans to commission the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to develop guidelines specifically on the treatment of hemiplegia in infants. Topics for new or updated NICE guidance are identified through its established prioritisation process, which considers the needs of the health and care system, the availability of evidence, and input from key stakeholders.
At present, NICE does not have plans to develop guidance in this area, and has not previously published guidance specifically on hemiplegia in infants.
The Department has not undertaken a specific assessment of the relative effectiveness of early intervention compared with treatment at a later stage for this condition. Decisions about clinical intervention are made by healthcare professionals, drawing on the best available evidence, clinical expertise, and individual patient need.
Proposals for new NICE guidance can be submitted for consideration through the NICE prioritisation process.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps have (a) the Surgeon General’s Office and (b) the Ministry of Defence more widely taken as a result of the 2016 recommendations of the Defence Committee report (HC567) on its inquiry into the harmful effects of Lariam (Mefloquine) on some Service personnel; and on which of the recommendations were actions (i) begun but not completed, and (ii) never initiated.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Committee Report (HC567) made a series of recommendations on the Ministry of Defence (MOD) use of mefloquine (trade name Lariam), individual risk assessments, research undertaken research on mefloquine, and comparisons with the use of mefloquine by allies.
In response to the report, MOD introduced a new policy on prescribing antimalarial drugs on 12 September 2016. Anti-malaria drugs, including mefloquine, are only prescribed after a face-to-face individual risk assessment. The recommended anti-malaria drug is determined by the sensitivity of malaria parasites to those drugs in different parts of the world based on UKHSA guidance. Mefloquine is only prescribed by a doctor and after all other alternatives have been identified as unsuitable.
In all cases, the authority and supply details for anti-malarial drugs are recorded on the individual’s medical note. Personnel supplied with anti-malarial drugs are issued copies of all manufacturer-provided patient documentation relevant to that drug and are informed of all special warnings or precautions relevant to anti-malarial drugs.
The Department continues to monitor and publish bi-annual statistics on the number of mefloquine prescriptions given to UK Armed Forces personnel at MOD medical facilities.
The latest release of information can be found at the following link:
The next release is due to be published on 28 May 2026 and will include data from 12 September 2016 to 31 March 2026.
The MOD continues to monitor the use of mefloquine and other anti-malarial drugs by allies. This includes the extent to and circumstances in which mefloquine is prescribed.
The Department previously outlined its intention to conduct a research proposal into the impact of adverse effects of anti-malaria drugs focusing on the performance of military personnel exercising in Kenya. The study, ‘Impact of anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis on functional effectiveness of military personnel’ (713/MODREC/15) was initiated and data on the impact of anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis on the functional effectiveness of military personnel collected from two British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) battlegroups between 2017-18. Following a delay in the analysis of the data, the department intend to undertake further work to be able publish the findings in a peer reviewed journal in 2027.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish the results of his Department's research study number 713/MoDREC/15 on anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis, including Lariam (Mefloquine).
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Committee Report (HC567) made a series of recommendations on the Ministry of Defence (MOD) use of mefloquine (trade name Lariam), individual risk assessments, research undertaken research on mefloquine, and comparisons with the use of mefloquine by allies.
In response to the report, MOD introduced a new policy on prescribing antimalarial drugs on 12 September 2016. Anti-malaria drugs, including mefloquine, are only prescribed after a face-to-face individual risk assessment. The recommended anti-malaria drug is determined by the sensitivity of malaria parasites to those drugs in different parts of the world based on UKHSA guidance. Mefloquine is only prescribed by a doctor and after all other alternatives have been identified as unsuitable.
In all cases, the authority and supply details for anti-malarial drugs are recorded on the individual’s medical note. Personnel supplied with anti-malarial drugs are issued copies of all manufacturer-provided patient documentation relevant to that drug and are informed of all special warnings or precautions relevant to anti-malarial drugs.
The Department continues to monitor and publish bi-annual statistics on the number of mefloquine prescriptions given to UK Armed Forces personnel at MOD medical facilities.
The latest release of information can be found at the following link:
The next release is due to be published on 28 May 2026 and will include data from 12 September 2016 to 31 March 2026.
The MOD continues to monitor the use of mefloquine and other anti-malarial drugs by allies. This includes the extent to and circumstances in which mefloquine is prescribed.
The Department previously outlined its intention to conduct a research proposal into the impact of adverse effects of anti-malaria drugs focusing on the performance of military personnel exercising in Kenya. The study, ‘Impact of anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis on functional effectiveness of military personnel’ (713/MODREC/15) was initiated and data on the impact of anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis on the functional effectiveness of military personnel collected from two British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) battlegroups between 2017-18. Following a delay in the analysis of the data, the department intend to undertake further work to be able publish the findings in a peer reviewed journal in 2027.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what guidance his Department has provided to the NHS on appropriate treatment for former Service personnel presenting with suicidal ideation resulting from brain injury caused by neurological side-effects of Lariam (Mefloquine) antimalarial prophylaxis; and how such guidance differs from that required for people experiencing purely psychiatric crises.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Mefloquine, trade name Lariam, is recommended as an effective anti-malarial by international health agencies, including the World Health Organisation. Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the National Health Service both follow National Institute for Care and Excellence guidelines on the prescription and management of side effects associated with mefloquine.
MOD is engaged with NHS England (NHSE) through the NHSE Armed Forces Clinical Reference Group. This group has reviewed the clinical management of the side effects associated with mefloquine. As symptoms can resemble acute psychiatric conditions, clinicians are advised to assess patients individually and are expected to take a full drug and alcohol history, including any previous mefloquine use.
The side effects that may be experienced whilst taking, or with a history of having taken mefloquine, will be treated according to the diagnosis; for example, if the patient is experiencing depressive symptoms, the treatment for depression will be instigated.
Since 2016, MOD has admitted mefloquine can cause minor psychiatric injury in certain individuals for a limited period of time. Causation of long-term psychiatric injury is denied.
I would encourage any Veteran who is struggling with their mental health to self-refer or seek the support of their GP to access Op COURAGE, the Veterans' Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Fourth Report of the Defence Committee of Session 2014-15 entitled An acceptable risk? The use of Lariam for military personnel, HC 567, published on 10 May 2016, how many Service personnel were issued with (a) Lariam (Mefloquine) and (b) other anti-malarial prophylaxis in each of the last 10 years.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Department continues to monitor and publish bi-annual statistics on the number of prescriptions for mefloquine (also known as Larium) given to UK armed forces personnel at Ministry of Defence medical facilities since 12 September 2016. The full release of information can be found at the following link:
The number of all antimalarials prescribed to armed forces personnel during the period Sept 2016 to 30 March 2023 is available at Table 1 at the following link:
There were 29,830 antimalarials, not including mefloquine, prescribed between 1 April 2023 – 30 September 2025. Table 1, below, provides this information by 6-month period and year. Antimalarials include prescriptions for doxycycline. Doxycycline may have been prescribed for antibiotic or antimalarial purposes.
Table 1: Other antimalarial prescriptions1 by annual and six-month period, numbers
1 April 2023 to 30 September 2025
Financial Year | Other Antimalarial Annual Total | Six month period | Other Antimalarial Six Monthly Total |
2023/24 | 13,749 | 01-Apr-23 to 30-Sep-23 | 8,423 |
|
| 01-Oct-23 to 31-Mar-24 | 5,326 |
2024/25 | 10,414 | 01-Apr-24 to 30-Sep-24 | 5,511 |
|
| 01-Oct-24 to 31-Mar-25 | 4,903 |
2025/262 | 5,667 | 01-Apr-25 to 30-Sep-25 | 5,667 |
1 Does not include mefloquine prescriptions.
2 Includes prescriptions between 1 April 2025 and 30 September 2025 only.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what her policy is on the (a) amelioration and (b) cancellation of high-interest debts incurred by low-income countries; and what steps she plans to take to implement that policy in the context of the 2027 meeting of the G20.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Supporting developing countries to tackle unsustainable debt is a key priority of this government. Debt servicing costs are at their highest for 25 years and are crowding out vital investments in growth and development. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely with HM Treasury to support countries facing high debt burdens and struggling to finance their development priorities, with the Chancellor recently launching the London Coalition, which brings together public and private creditors to support more sustainable financing in developing economies.
This Government recognises the importance of a broad range of perspectives in addressing debt challenges, and we welcome the valuable contribution of the Jubilee Report to those discussions. More broadly, we commend the pioneering work of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), both in terms of the life-changing support it delivers through its partners in developing countries, and its advocacy and campaigning for long-term systemic change through measures such as debt relief. The Minister of State for International Development met the CAFOD Chief Executive and African inter faith leaders in December 2025 to discuss these and other issues.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of high-interest debt repayments by low-income countries on the ability of those countries to provide adequate (a) healthcare, (b) education and (c) humanitarian services.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Supporting developing countries to tackle unsustainable debt is a key priority of this government. Debt servicing costs are at their highest for 25 years and are crowding out vital investments in growth and development. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely with HM Treasury to support countries facing high debt burdens and struggling to finance their development priorities, with the Chancellor recently launching the London Coalition, which brings together public and private creditors to support more sustainable financing in developing economies.
This Government recognises the importance of a broad range of perspectives in addressing debt challenges, and we welcome the valuable contribution of the Jubilee Report to those discussions. More broadly, we commend the pioneering work of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), both in terms of the life-changing support it delivers through its partners in developing countries, and its advocacy and campaigning for long-term systemic change through measures such as debt relief. The Minister of State for International Development met the CAFOD Chief Executive and African inter faith leaders in December 2025 to discuss these and other issues.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations she has received from the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development on the effects of global debt on low-income countries; and what action she plans to take in response to such representations.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Supporting developing countries to tackle unsustainable debt is a key priority of this government. Debt servicing costs are at their highest for 25 years and are crowding out vital investments in growth and development. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely with HM Treasury to support countries facing high debt burdens and struggling to finance their development priorities, with the Chancellor recently launching the London Coalition, which brings together public and private creditors to support more sustainable financing in developing economies.
This Government recognises the importance of a broad range of perspectives in addressing debt challenges, and we welcome the valuable contribution of the Jubilee Report to those discussions. More broadly, we commend the pioneering work of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), both in terms of the life-changing support it delivers through its partners in developing countries, and its advocacy and campaigning for long-term systemic change through measures such as debt relief. The Minister of State for International Development met the CAFOD Chief Executive and African inter faith leaders in December 2025 to discuss these and other issues.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who first suggested to the Prime Minister that Peter Mandelson should be appointed as Ambassador to the United States.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether representatives of prison officers were consulted over the (a) design, and (b) procurement of new protective body armour.
Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip
His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is committed to equipping up to 10,000 staff with protective body armour by March 2027. Work is continuing to support delivery against this commitment, ensuring it is implemented in a controlled and proportionate manner, with appropriate governance and oversight in place.
Both the Prison Officers Association and the Prison Governors Association were consulted in the initial stages about all aspects of the protective body armour project, including in relation to the product selection. Monthly engagement takes place with both unions to enable ongoing consultation.
HMPPS engages in quarterly discussions with recognised trade unions. These meetings form part of HMPPS’s formal engagement and allow unions to raise concerns on safety matters.