Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Q12 of the oral evidence given by Alan Over to the Transport Select Committee on 9 July 2025, HC 1139, when her Department intends to write to the Transport Committee with the information referenced in the answer to that question.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Rail Minister sent a letter on 10 September 2025 providing further information regarding Q12 of the Transport Select Committee’s oral evidence session of 9 July 2025.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to page 4 of his Department's publication entitled Hydrogen Allocation Round 2 (HAR2): due diligence and cost assurance, published on 7 April 2025, when his Department plans to hold that Meet the Supplier event.

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

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is looking at ways to improve the visibility of supply chains for developers and suppliers, including through a Meet the Specifier event, where developers can meet with potential suppliers prior to procurement.

As part of the HAR2 process, we will be engaging with HAR2 shortlisted project representatives with a view to holding this event as soon as projects are in a position to share their technical specifications with potential supply chain companies. We expect to announce successful HAR2 projects in the first half of 2026.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the cost of a single anytime (a) first and (b) standard class rail ticket between Durham and Basildon was in April (i) 2010 and (ii) 2024.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The single anytime fares from Durham to Basildon are as follows:

1. First Class
   1. April 2010- £201.50
   2. April 2024- £334.00
2. Standard Class
   1. April 2010- £140.00
   2. April 2024- £214.90

The regulated fare for many LNER routes switched from the Super Off-Peak return to the Super Off-Peak single in 2023 due to single leg pricing. The cost of the Super Off-Peak fare are as follows:

1. April 2010- £109.90
2. April 2024- £94.80

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to increase the level of hydrogen and fuel cell technology exports.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

As a frontier sector in the Industrial Strategy, the government has committed targeted support to boost exports of hydrogen technologies by showcasing UK capabilities through our global network, greater access to international supply chains and — as outlined in the new Trade Strategy — by expanding clean energy sector agreements, like the UK-Germany Hydrogen Partnership. To support these opportunities, UKEF aims to deliver £10bn in clean growth financing by 2029, DRIVE35 will provide £2.5bn for zero-emission vehicle manufacturing including fuel cells, and the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme offers grants to UK fuel cell manufacturers investing in UK-based research and development.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has held with railway trade unions on transfers of employment to DfT Operator Limited.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department and DFT Operator have regular discussions with trade unions on a range of topics, including the transfer of currently franchised rail passenger services into public ownership. As services are transferred into public ownership, staff employed by the privately-owned operator transfer to the public sector operator in accordance with Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations. Rail trade unions are intrinsically involved in this process.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps Network Rail are taking to ensure that its trackside vegetation management programmed is adequate.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Network Rail works hard to keep the rail network running. Its work to manage trees and other vegetation alongside the railway helps to keep trains running safely and on time. Network Rail carries out its activities in a way that minimises harm, and wherever possible improves the natural habitat while maintaining the performance and safety of the railway. Network Rail is committed to achieving an increase in biodiversity across the network by 2035 and publishes annual State of Nature reports to update on progress towards this commitment.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 03 September 2025 to Question 73617, on Armed Forces: Special Educational Needs, if he will publish the February 2025 MODLAP advisory note that is referred to in that Answer.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

With reference to my previous response to Question 73617, dated 3 September 2025, concerning Special Educational Needs (SEND) and the MOD Local Authority Partnership (MODLAP), please find attached the February 2025 MODLAP advisory note.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 31168 on Primodos: Research and with reference to the oral contribution of Mr Roland Moyle on 26 May 1978, HC official record Volume 950, whether (a) the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and (b) Commission on Human Medicines considered the findings of the Committee on Safety of Medicines study that began in 1969 as part of the recent review that is referred to in that Answer.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The review referenced in Question 31168 considered the 2023 publication by Danielsson et al only. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) assessment of this publication focussed on new data, which concerned transient embryonic hypoxia and teratogenicity in relation to oral hormone pregnancy tests (HPTs), and has been published at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b0696bf31f3b16cee0e937/Evaluation_of_review_of_transient_embryonic_hypoxia_and_teratogenicity_in_relation_to_oral_hormone_pregnancy_tests__including_Primodos.pdf

This MHRA assessment was considered by the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) in November 2024. A copy of the minutes of this CHM meeting is attached.

The study referenced by Mr Roland Moyle on 26 May 1978 is titled Maternal drug histories and congenital anomalies, and is authored by Greenberg G, Inman WHW, Weatherall, JAC et al. This was published in the British Medical Journal in October 1977, and is available at the following link:

https://www.bmj.com/content/2/6091/853.abstract

The original Expert Working Group (EWG) convened by the United Kingdom’s CHM to review all available evidence on the possible association between HPTs and adverse outcomes in pregnancy considered the study by Greenberg G referenced above as part of their review.

The EWG reported its findings in November 2017 and concluded that the totality of the available scientific data does not support a causal association between the use of HPTs during early pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The EWG report on the use of HPTs and adverse effects relating to pregnancy, including possible birth defects, is published online, at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-of-the-commission-on-human-medicines-expert-working-group-on-hormone-pregnancy-tests

The MHRA remains committed to reviewing any new scientific data which becomes available following the conclusion of the EWG.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to NHS England’s publication entitled Interim commissioning guidance: Implementation of the NICE Technology Appraisal TA1026 and the NICE funding variation for tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for the management of obesity, published on 27 March 2025, what estimate (a) NHS England and (b) the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence have made of the number of patients eligible for Mounjaro in each year from 2025-26 to 2027-28.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for developing evidence-based guidance for the National Health Service on the use of licensed medicines based on an assessment of their clinical and cost-effectiveness. NICE published the estimated total eligible population for tirzepatide for obesity (Mounjaro) in its technology appraisal, with the code TA 1026, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta1026

The following table shows the estimated total eligible population for tirzepatide for obesity, from 2025/26 to 2028/29:

The figures are based on the population estimated to have an initial body mass index (BMI) of at least 35, and with at least one weight-related comorbidity. They include the impact of the predicted population growth, but they do not include potential increases in obesity prevalence, or include the 2.5 BMI unit reduction that is recommended for people from certain ethnic minority backgrounds.

From 23 June, tirzepatide has started to become available in primary care, meaning it can be prescribed by general practitioners, or other competent prescribers. NHS England’s phased rollout within primary care will prioritise those with the greatest clinical need. The NHS is undertaking a phased roll out, as agreed with NICE. This is based on prioritisation led by clinical need. Patient eligibility will increase in stages, up to approximately 220,000 patients after the first three years, as outlined in NHS England's Interim Commissioning Guidance, which is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/interim-commissioning-guidance-implementation-of-the-nice-technology-appraisal-ta1026-and-the-nice-funding-variation-for-tirzepatide-mounjaro-for-the-management-of-obesity/

The total eligible population should have access within the maximum period of 12 years but, as part of the rollout plans, the NHS will look at different service models, including digital and community options. New approaches might enable access to be expanded more quickly. Progress will be reviewed in three years. In addition, the 10-Year Health Plan sets out our ambition to build on these plans by testing innovative models of delivering weight loss services and treatments to patients. On 12 August we announced an £85 million competition to fund the design and delivery of new community and primary care weight management pathways to support access to interventions such as weight loss medications. We expect tens of thousands of patients to directly benefit from increased access to interventions, such as GLP-1s. This will generate new evidence to inform the future commissioning and rollout of tirzepatide.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 2.18 of the National Audit Office report entitled High Speed Two: A progress update, published on 24 January 2020, whether HS2 Limited has updated its indicative estimate that the cost of undertakings and assurances was £1.2 billion; and in which year's prices was that estimate.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

HS2 Ltd has not updated this figure. The estimate was provided to the National Audit Office in late 2019 – at that time, HS2 Ltd’s cost estimates were in 2015 prices.

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Found: Ruth Cadbury (Chair); Steff Aquarone; Dr Scott Arthur; Olly Glover; Alex Mayer; Baggy Shanker; Laurence Turner

Found: Leighton Buzzard) Baggy Shanker (Labour; Derby South) Rebecca Smith (Conservative; South West Devon) Laurence Turner

Found: Steff Aquarone; Dr Scott Arthur; Mrs Elsie Blundell; Olly Glover; Alex Mayer; Baggy Shanker; Laurence Turner

Found: Questions 1-17 Representations made I: Dr Scott Arthur, Laurence Turner, Ruth Cadbury, Steff Aquarone

Found: Q17 Laurence Turner: This next question has been anticipated because you have already spoken to us about

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she is taking steps to support farmers in Yorkshire to transition to free farrowing systems.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the Rt. Hon. Member for Birmingham Northfield, Laurence Turner, on 3 April 2025, PQ UIN 41698.