Martin Docherty-Hughes Portrait

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Scottish National Party - Former Member for West Dunbartonshire

First elected: 7th May 2015

Left House: 30th May 2024 (Dissolution)


Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Defence)
4th Sep 2023 - 30th May 2024
Defence Sub-Committee
12th Sep 2023 - 30th May 2024
Defence Committee
12th Sep 2023 - 30th May 2024
SNP Chief Whip
7th Dec 2022 - 17th Jan 2023
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Foreign Affairs Team Member)
7th Jan 2020 - 12th Dec 2022
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Defence Team Member)
7th Jan 2020 - 12th Dec 2022
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (PPS to the Westminster Leader)
7th Jan 2020 - 12th Dec 2022
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Industries of the Future and Blockchain Technologies)
1st Jul 2018 - 12th Dec 2022
Financial Services and Markets Bill
12th Oct 2022 - 3rd Nov 2022
Defence Sub-Committee
5th Mar 2020 - 5th Jan 2022
Committees on Arms Export Controls
6th Jul 2020 - 5th Jan 2022
Defence Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 5th Jan 2022
Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill
25th Feb 2021 - 14th Apr 2021
Armed Forces Bill Select Committee
22nd Feb 2021 - 22nd Feb 2021
Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill
22nd Feb 2021 - 22nd Feb 2021
Defence Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Defence Sub-Committee
12th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Industries for the future)
20th Jun 2017 - 1st Jul 2018
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Voluntary Sector)
1st Sep 2016 - 20th Jun 2017


Division Voting information

Martin Docherty-Hughes has voted in 1299 divisions, and 1 time against the majority of their Party.

25 Jan 2022 - Judicial Review and Courts Bill - View Vote Context
Martin Docherty-Hughes voted No - against a party majority - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 4 Scottish National Party No votes vs 4 Scottish National Party Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 187 Noes - 315
View All Martin Docherty-Hughes Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
John Bercow (Speaker)
(50 debate interactions)
Johnny Mercer (Conservative)
(30 debate interactions)
Andrew Griffith (Conservative)
Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
(25 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Ministry of Defence
(194 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(174 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(102 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Martin Docherty-Hughes's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Martin Docherty-Hughes

21st May 2024
Martin Docherty-Hughes signed this EDM as a sponsor on Wednesday 22nd May 2024

Children's Hospice Week

Tabled by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
That this House notes Children's Hospice Week 2024, celebrated from 15 to 21 May 2024 in partnership with Together for Short Lives; highlights that Children's Hospice Week is the only week in the year dedicated to raising awareness and funds for children's hospice and palliative care services across the UK, …
13 signatures
(Most recent: 24 May 2024)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 4
Labour: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Independent: 1
Workers Party of Britain: 1
Conservative: 1
22nd May 2024
Martin Docherty-Hughes signed this EDM as the primary signatory on Wednesday 22nd May 2024

The Wee Play Place success at the Scottish Hospitality Awards 2024

Tabled by: Martin Docherty-Hughes (Scottish National Party - West Dunbartonshire)
That this House congratulates The Wee Play Place in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, on being awarded the Children’s Play Centre of the Year at the Scottish Hospitality Awards 2024; notes that the venue was highly commended in the Best Entertaining Team category; believes that this recognition is well deserved for the …
7 signatures
(Most recent: 24 May 2024)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 7
View All Martin Docherty-Hughes's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Martin Docherty-Hughes, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


1 Urgent Question tabled by Martin Docherty-Hughes

Wednesday 7th September 2022

4 Adjournment Debates led by Martin Docherty-Hughes

Tuesday 27th November 2018
Tuesday 15th March 2016

4 Bills introduced by Martin Docherty-Hughes


A Bill to make provision about the rights of workers, including to negotiate pay and join trade unions and employee associations; to amend the definition of worker; to make provision about the employment rights of members of the armed forces; to make provision about employee representatives on company boards; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

A Bill to make provision about employment security and the rights of workers; to amend the definition of worker; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

A Bill to make provision for the purpose of enabling certain mortgage borrowers to switch to a new mortgage arrangement; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Monday 11th March 2024
(Read Debate)

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. a Bill to create a staff association to represent the interests of members of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces as employees; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 20th June 2018
(Read Debate)

1 Bill co-sponsored by Martin Docherty-Hughes

Asbestos (national register) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Andrew Percy (Con)


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
4 Other Department Questions
7th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the contribution of the Scotch Whisky industry to the tourist industry in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK.

Research by VisitBritian found that 82% of international respondents said that ‘a good variety of food and drink to try’ is a key driver when selecting a destination for an international break. This is why the UK’s unique food and drink experiences are a key pillar of their international marketing campaigns and PR activity.

The whisky industry is recognised as the UK’s largest single food and drink sector, accounting for 25% of the UK’s food and drink exports and 80% of Scottish food and drink exports, impacting 200 markets worldwide. The whisky sector generates £3.3 billion directly to the UK economy, and totals £5 billion when Gross Value Added (GVA) is added to the overall to UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Research by VisitScotland found that 20% of respondents stated they visited awhisky distillery on their holiday in Scotland, making it one of the top activities for overnight tourists on their trip to Scotland.

Visits to whisky distilleries in Scotland have increased by two thirds since 2010, and over 1000 people are now directly employed in tourism roles which equates to 10% of the industry’s direct employment in Scotland.

Julia Lopez
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
24th Nov 2021
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when the Government plans to publish its action plan coordinating a year of domestic action on LGBT issues, in the run up to the global conference, Safe to be me: Global Equality Conference to be hosted in London in June 2022.

The UK government is committed to promoting equality for LGBT people at home and abroad and we continue to be recognised as one of the top 10 most progressive countries in Europe for LGBT rights.

Earlier this year, the Minister for Women and Equalities set out her top priorities, which we are making good progress towards delivering. We have launched a public consultation on our plans to ban conversion therapy; we are digitising the Gender Recognition Certificate application process, having already reduced the fee, and are improving healthcare for trans people; and the Department for Education recently announced over £1 million in funding to support schools and colleges to tackle all forms of bullying, including anti-LGBT bullying.

We have also appointed Iain Anderson as LGBT Business Champion, and the Prime Minister has appointed Lord Herbert as Special Envoy on LGBT rights, with both an international and domestic focus.

We look forward to hosting Safe To Be Me: A Global Equality Conference next year, which will bring together government representatives, businesses, civil society and international parliamentarians to address the safety of LGBT people at home and abroad.

24th Nov 2021
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when she last met the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on LGBT+ Rights.

Ministers routinely have internal meetings to discuss a range of issues. As Special Envoy on LGBT rights, the Rt Hon Lord Herbert CBE is leading efforts across Government to champion LGBT equality at home and abroad.

24th Nov 2021
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when the Prime Minister last met his Special Envoy for LGBT Rights.

Ministers routinely have internal meetings to discuss a range of issues. As Special Envoy on LGBT rights, the Rt Hon Lord Herbert CBE is leading efforts across Government to champion LGBT equality at home and abroad.

7th May 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to increase representation of women in veteran support services.

This Government understands that, whilst the majority of women veterans go on to lead successful post-service lives, and the challenges they face are often the same as for men, the experiences and needs of women are sometimes different.

That is why we are developing the Government’s first Women Veterans’ Strategy, which will celebrate the successes of women veterans, but will also look at specific challenges they may face, in order to better address their needs.

As well as looking at the experiences of women who have served in the UK Armed Forces, the Strategy will recognise their contribution to society and identify what further tailored support could be provided, which includes considering the accessibility of support services.

7th May 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed reductions in the number of civil servants on the (a) capacity and (b) efficiency of the Civil Service.

The Prime Minister’s announcement of longer term reductions in Civil Service numbers is a reiteration of the policy announced by the Chancellor in October 2023. The longer term reductions will build on the shorter term headcount cap put in place through to March 2025, and the detail of how individual organisations will be affected by the return to pre-pandemic numbers will form a key part of the next comprehensive spending review.

John Glen
Shadow Paymaster General
5th Jan 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the (a) performance, (b) functionality, and (c) coherence of the pension system for Capita fire and rescue workers.

The Cabinet Office, acting as the Civil Service Pension Scheme Manager, has met on a number of occasions with representatives of Unite the Union (Unite), Capita Land Services and MyCSP to discuss issues surrounding Pensionable Pay for members of the Defence Fire and Rescue Services that were transferred to Capita Fire and Rescue. Work is currently ongoing towards resolving these issues.

The Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) is supported by a robust governance model that includes audits carried out annually by the National Audit Office (NAO) and the Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA). The scheme is also responsible for providing scheme accounts which are fully audited on an annual basis. Alongside this, the scheme is required to implement the legislation for pensions effectively and pay the correct benefits. I am comfortable that the administration of the pension scheme is adequate and robust and that there are effective policies and procedures in place to resolve issues impacting members.

To support all employers in performing their duties required for the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme there are several different functions that employers can utilise:

  • Dedicated on-boarding team

  • Guidance and Notifications

  • Employer Training

When an employer joins the CSPS, they must complete a legal document called an Admission Agreement (AA) and ensure that the parties comply with their obligations set out in it. The AA is signed in triplicate by the provider, the contracting authority and Cabinet Office. To ensure employers are meeting their requirements we:

Internally have:

  • Interface Compliance Model - which reviews the monthly interface quality which is supplied from employers. Capita Fire and Rescue are working with the Scheme Administer to bring their interface up to date. Once this has been completed, a review of all pensions in payment will be completed to ensure that the members are receiving the correct benefits.

  • Annual Assurance Statement (AAS) - The purpose of the AAS is to assist the Cabinet Office’s Accounting Officer, to carry out their responsibilities to the Civil Service Pensions Scheme. It reminds employers of their fundamental roles and responsibilities in relation to the scheme and gives the opportunity to highlight any issues.

  • Employer Engagement Matrix - The Employer Engagement Matrix tracks employer performance and measures against set criteria which are either essential and desirable. This is to provide an overview of several different metrics to identify if employers falling down in their duties.

Externally we have:

  • Annual audits carried out by both the Government Internal Audit Agency and the National Audit Office.

  • An independent external company (ITM) has recently carried out a data audit which identified no material concerns.

John Glen
Shadow Paymaster General
5th Jan 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of establishing an independent auditor to assess adequacy of the Capita fire and rescue workers pension system.

The Cabinet Office, acting as the Civil Service Pension Scheme Manager, has met on a number of occasions with representatives of Unite the Union (Unite), Capita Land Services and MyCSP to discuss issues surrounding Pensionable Pay for members of the Defence Fire and Rescue Services that were transferred to Capita Fire and Rescue. Work is currently ongoing towards resolving these issues.

The Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) is supported by a robust governance model that includes audits carried out annually by the National Audit Office (NAO) and the Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA). The scheme is also responsible for providing scheme accounts which are fully audited on an annual basis. Alongside this, the scheme is required to implement the legislation for pensions effectively and pay the correct benefits. I am comfortable that the administration of the pension scheme is adequate and robust and that there are effective policies and procedures in place to resolve issues impacting members.

To support all employers in performing their duties required for the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme there are several different functions that employers can utilise:

  • Dedicated on-boarding team

  • Guidance and Notifications

  • Employer Training

When an employer joins the CSPS, they must complete a legal document called an Admission Agreement (AA) and ensure that the parties comply with their obligations set out in it. The AA is signed in triplicate by the provider, the contracting authority and Cabinet Office. To ensure employers are meeting their requirements we:

Internally have:

  • Interface Compliance Model - which reviews the monthly interface quality which is supplied from employers. Capita Fire and Rescue are working with the Scheme Administer to bring their interface up to date. Once this has been completed, a review of all pensions in payment will be completed to ensure that the members are receiving the correct benefits.

  • Annual Assurance Statement (AAS) - The purpose of the AAS is to assist the Cabinet Office’s Accounting Officer, to carry out their responsibilities to the Civil Service Pensions Scheme. It reminds employers of their fundamental roles and responsibilities in relation to the scheme and gives the opportunity to highlight any issues.

  • Employer Engagement Matrix - The Employer Engagement Matrix tracks employer performance and measures against set criteria which are either essential and desirable. This is to provide an overview of several different metrics to identify if employers falling down in their duties.

Externally we have:

  • Annual audits carried out by both the Government Internal Audit Agency and the National Audit Office.

  • An independent external company (ITM) has recently carried out a data audit which identified no material concerns.

John Glen
Shadow Paymaster General
5th Jan 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of the pensions of Capita Fire and Rescue workers; and what discussions he has had with (a) the Cabinet Office, (b) Capita Fire and Rescue, (c) MyCSP and (d) Unite the Union on that subject.

The Cabinet Office, acting as the Civil Service Pension Scheme Manager, has met on a number of occasions with representatives of Unite the Union (Unite), Capita Land Services and MyCSP to discuss issues surrounding Pensionable Pay for members of the Defence Fire and Rescue Services that were transferred to Capita Fire and Rescue. Work is currently ongoing towards resolving these issues.

The Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) is supported by a robust governance model that includes audits carried out annually by the National Audit Office (NAO) and the Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA). The scheme is also responsible for providing scheme accounts which are fully audited on an annual basis. Alongside this, the scheme is required to implement the legislation for pensions effectively and pay the correct benefits. I am comfortable that the administration of the pension scheme is adequate and robust and that there are effective policies and procedures in place to resolve issues impacting members.

To support all employers in performing their duties required for the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme there are several different functions that employers can utilise:

  • Dedicated on-boarding team

  • Guidance and Notifications

  • Employer Training

When an employer joins the CSPS, they must complete a legal document called an Admission Agreement (AA) and ensure that the parties comply with their obligations set out in it. The AA is signed in triplicate by the provider, the contracting authority and Cabinet Office. To ensure employers are meeting their requirements we:

Internally have:

  • Interface Compliance Model - which reviews the monthly interface quality which is supplied from employers. Capita Fire and Rescue are working with the Scheme Administer to bring their interface up to date. Once this has been completed, a review of all pensions in payment will be completed to ensure that the members are receiving the correct benefits.

  • Annual Assurance Statement (AAS) - The purpose of the AAS is to assist the Cabinet Office’s Accounting Officer, to carry out their responsibilities to the Civil Service Pensions Scheme. It reminds employers of their fundamental roles and responsibilities in relation to the scheme and gives the opportunity to highlight any issues.

  • Employer Engagement Matrix - The Employer Engagement Matrix tracks employer performance and measures against set criteria which are either essential and desirable. This is to provide an overview of several different metrics to identify if employers falling down in their duties.

Externally we have:

  • Annual audits carried out by both the Government Internal Audit Agency and the National Audit Office.

  • An independent external company (ITM) has recently carried out a data audit which identified no material concerns.

John Glen
Shadow Paymaster General
9th Sep 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will announce a framework of compensation for victims and families of the contaminated blood scandal.

This government remains committed to considering a framework for compensation, as well as actions to address disparities in financial and non-financial support for people infected and affected across the UK.

Cabinet Office officials are working with their colleagues in HM Treasury, the Department of Health and Social Care, and health departments in the devolved administrations to take this forward. I will update the House and the Inquiry, and those infected and affected as soon as these considerations have been concluded.

1st Jun 2018
To ask the Prime Minister, when her office plans fully to respond to the letter of the hon. Member for West Dunbartonshire dated 25 April 2018 on his constituent, Jagtar Singh Johal.

A reply has been sent by my Rt Hon Friend, the Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific.

28th Nov 2017
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the oral evidence given by Sir Mark Lyall Grant to the Defence Select Committee on 14 November 2017, HC 556, if he will list the events held ahead of the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review with stakeholders in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland.

In developing the National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review (NSS and SDSR), officials met with representatives from leading think tanks, NGOs, academic institutions and industry as part of the consultation on the review. This included a series of academic engagement events held over the summer and autumn of 2015 in Edinburgh, Belfast, Aberystwyth, Durham, Exeter, Cambridge and London. There was also engagement with the Devolved Administrations.

7th Nov 2017
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse was of his Department's advertising of the Prime Minister's speech in Florence on 22 September 2017 on (a) Facebook, (b) Twitter and (c) all other social media platforms.

The Government regularly uses digital advertising to reach audiences with key messages both at home and abroad. Annual government advertising spend is around £140 million, of which £60 million is spent on digital channels. The Florence speech was an important moment as we approach the next stage of Brexit negotiations - discussing our future relationship with the EU once we have left. More detailed information will be published in the Government Communication Service’s annual report.

7th Nov 2017
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse was of translating and promoting the Prime Minister's speech in Florence on 22 September 2017 in (a) English, (b) German, (c) French, (d) Italian, (e) Spanish, (f) Polish, (g) Dutch and (h) any other languages.

The Government regularly uses digital advertising to reach audiences with key messages both at home and abroad. Annual government advertising spend is around £140 million, of which £60 million is spent on digital channels. The Florence speech was an important moment as we approach the next stage of Brexit negotiations - discussing our future relationship with the EU once we have left. More detailed information will be published in the Government Communication Service’s annual report.

21st Oct 2015
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of the effects of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 on the activities of trades unions during the 2015 general election period.

Section 39 of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 provides for a post-election review of the operation of the regulatory regime governing third parties at the 2015 General Election.

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts CBE is currently conducting this independent review.

Ministers must lay a copy of his report before Parliament and publish it by November 2016.

21st Oct 2015
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of the effects of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 on the activities of charitable bodies during the 2015 general election period.

Section 39 of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 provides for a post-election review of the operation of the regulatory regime governing third parties at the 2015 General Election.

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts CBE is currently conducting this independent review.

Ministers must lay a copy of his report before Parliament and publish it by November 2016.

10th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether (a) she, (b) Ministers in her Department and (c) officials in her Department have met (i) Gautam Adani and (ii) representatives of the Adani Group in the last five years.

The Secretary of State has not met Gautam Adani. The then Minister for Investment, Lord Grimstone of Boscobel Kt met Gautam Adani at the World Economic Forum in Davos on 25 May 2022.

Officials have met the representatives of Adani Group on a number of occasions over the past five years, including most recently at a meeting in December 2022 between a representative of Adani Defence and the Director of UK Defence and Security Exports.

7th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what support is available for (a) hospices and (b) care homes to meet their energy costs.

The Energy Bill Relief Scheme provides a discount on the wholesale element of gas and electricity bills to ensure that all eligible charities, including hospices and care homes, are protected from high energy costs over the winter period. Following an HMT-led review, the new Energy Bill Discount Scheme, will run from April 2023 until March 2024, and continue to provide a discount to eligible non-domestic customers, including the health and care sector. Both energy schemes apply across all of the United Kingdom, including Scotland. The Government will continue to engage with devolved administrations in its design and implementation plans for the new scheme.

7th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many businesses in West Dunbartonshire constituency (a) applied for, (b) received support from and (c) did not receive support from the Energy Bill Relief Scheme.

The Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) provides a discount on the wholesale element of gas and electricity bills to ensure that all eligible businesses in Stockport, who receive their energy from licensed suppliers, are protected from excessively high energy costs over the winter period. The EBRS discount is applied directly to the energy bills of eligible businesses by their energy providers and therefore we do not have a breakdown of support received by location or sector. The new Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS) will run from April 2023 until March 2024 and continue to provide a discount to eligible businesses.

5th Feb 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the detention of (a) unsafe and (b) non-compliant electrical consumer goods at ports and borders in Scotland; and whether he has plans to allocate additional funding for those activities.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards will publish its first Strategic Assessment covering trends in relation to the safety of goods in due course and this will inform future decisions about how best to support capacity on the front line, including in Scotland.

5th Feb 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent estimate he has made of the volume of (a) unsafe and (b) non-compliant electrical consumer goods entering Scotland at its ports and borders.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is developing the first national Strategic Assessment to identify trends and risks associated with the supply and use of consumer goods. This will provide a comprehensive analysis of how well the product safety system functions and will support local authorities and other agencies to prioritise their operational decisions and interventions based on evidence and risk. In addition, the OPSS is working to support local authorities in Scotland to further improve product safety.

5th Feb 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what support is made available by the Office for Product Safety and Standards to the Scottish Government to improve safety at ports and borders in scotland.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards is working to support local authorities in Scotland including at ports and borders, to further improve product safety. For example, OPSS has provided free technical training on product safety to local authority officers, provided all front-line officers with free access to British Standards on line and training on risk assessment will take place in March. We are exploring what additional support and resource would assist with safety at ports and borders.

5th Feb 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions (a) he, (b) ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with the representatives of the Scottish Government on the sale of unsafe electrical goods online; and whether he has plans to bring forward legislative proposals for the regulation of the sale of those products online.

The Department has had discussions with the Scottish Government on a number of issues related to the safety of consumers, including on the Office for Product Safety and Standards’ (OPSS) new strategy for product safety. OPSS also works closely with local authority Trading Standards services across Scotland on specific issues, including the safety of electrical goods.

All electrical goods must meet essential safety requirements before they can be placed on the UK market, including electrical goods sold to consumers by online retailers. The Government has no plans to introduce further regulation in this area.

5th Feb 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made on the cost to the Scottish economy of the sale of (a) counterfeit and (b) substandard electrical products.

The Government does not hold data for estimating the cost to the Scottish economy of counterfeit or substandard electrical products.

4th Dec 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many applications were made for full onshore wind station accreditation between July 2016 and October 2016.

Across Great Britain, 19 onshore wind farms applied for accreditation under the Renewables Obligation between July and October 2016. Of these, 8[1] were in England, 1 in Wales, and 10 in Scotland.

[1] This figure includes 2 applications made between 1 July and 31 October 2016 but subsequently cancelled by the applicant.

4th Dec 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many certificated G59 commissioning engineers who were not embedded within (a) power supply companies and (b) district network operations were available to sign off a wind station accreditation between July 2016 and November 2016.

I refer the Hon Member to the reply I gave to UIN 106077.

4th Dec 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many applicants for wind station accreditation between July and October 2016 were on request afforded an extension of time or grace period by Ofgem to allow for successful conversion to full accreditation.

Across Great Britain, 15 onshore wind farms that applied for accreditation under the Renewables Obligation between July and October 2016 have been granted a grace period. Of these, 6 were in England, 8 in Scotland, and 1 in Wales. A further 2 applications (both in Scotland) have not yet been determined[1].

[1] Applications still being assessed by Ofgem where the later of the application date and commissioning date falls between 1 July and 31 October 2016 (their expected accreditation effective date if granted).

6th Oct 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many applicants for wind farm accreditation between July and October 2016 were on request accordingly afforded an extension of time or grace period by Ofgem to allow for successful conversion to full accreditation.

Across Great Britain, 13 onshore wind farms that applied for accreditation under the Renewables Obligation between July and October 2016 have been granted a grace period. Of these, 6 each were in England and Scotland, and 1 in Wales. A further 3 applications (all in Scotland) have not yet been determined [1].

[1] Applications still being assessed by Ofgem where the later of the application date and commissioning date falls between 1 July and 31 October 2016 (their expected accreditation effective date if granted).

6th Oct 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many certificated G59 commissioning engineers who were not embedded within power supply companies and district network operations were available to sign off wind farm accreditation between July and November 2016.

This information is not held by either Ofgem or the Department.

6th Oct 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many unsuccessful applications for full onshore wind farm accreditation there were between July and October 2016.

Between July and October 2016, no applications for accreditation under the Renewables Obligation were rejected.

6th Oct 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many applicants for full onshore wind farm accreditation there were between July and October 2016.

Across Great Britain, 18 onshore wind farms applied for accreditation under the Renewables Obligation between July and October 2016. Of these, 8 [1] were in England, 1 in Wales, and 9 in Scotland.

[1] This figure includes 2 applications made between 1 July and 31 October 2016 but subsequently cancelled by the applicant.

14th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will ensure that a public consultation is conducted with groups representing mesothelioma victims and other relevant stakeholders before decisions are made about changing current policies and protocols for retaining records on dissolved companies by Companies House.

The Government has no current plans to bring forward proposals to reduce the period of time that Companies House retains records of dissolved companies.

We will continue to keep the retention period under review. Any future proposal to change the retention period would be subject to public consultation, so that all interested parties, including those representing mesothelioma victims, will be able to express their views.

14th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will ensure that there is no further destruction of records on dissolved companies held by Companies House before a public consultation is held with relevant stakeholders about changes to current policies and protocols for retaining data.

The Government has no current plans to bring forward proposals to reduce the period of time that Companies House retains records of dissolved companies. Nevertheless, we will continue to keep the retention period under review, during which time the Registrar of Companies will ensure there is no destruction of records. Additionally, any future proposal to change the retention period would be subject to public consultation.

14th Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will publish the criteria currently used by Companies House when deciding whether to retain or destroy records held of dissolved companies.

The criteria currently used by Companies House when deciding whether to retain or destroy records is published in The National Archives’ Operational Selection Policy for Records Relating to the Regulation of Companies (OSP25). This document can be found at:

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20050302024151/http:/www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/selection/pdf/osp25.pdf

25th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to increase his Department's outreach to the Brazilian agricultural Ministry MAPA for the purposes of streamlining import processes for UK exports, including whisky and gin.

The Government is committed to boosting the UK’s agri-food export capability and growth around the world. Recognising the potential of the Brazilian market for UK agri-food exports, DEFRA is currently recruiting a new Agriculture, Food and Drink Attaché for Brazil. This new role will strengthen our agri-food engagement with the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, working directly with officials in Brazil to broaden market access and boost UK agri-food exports. This includes supporting the continued growth of whisky and gin exports to Brazil, which is now a top 20 market for UK exports of these commodities.

24th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the wholesale sector and safeguard food supplies to schools, care homes, hospitals and other critical public service infrastructure.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a range of temporary financial support to the wholesale sector, a key supplier of food to critical public service organisations, to ensure its ongoing viability through this difficult period. Wholesalers are eligible for a number of schemes, including: the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help keep millions of people in employment and the Discretionary Grant Fund for small and micro businesses that are not eligible for other grant schemes.

In addition to this, Defra has been working with the charity sector through the Food Charity Grant Scheme which gives charities up to £100,000 in grant funding to purchase food to support the most economically vulnerable. Through this scheme, Defra has encouraged charities that do not have established suppliers to purchase stock from wholesalers and local producers, both to support the sector and to reduce waste.

A range of Government departments hold responsibility for public sector food provision for specific sectors including schools, care homes, hospitals and prisons. My department is working closely with officials from the Department for Education, the Department of Health and Social Care, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Defence to support them in making arrangements with their suppliers to ensure food supply continues to these public sector institutions.

5th Sep 2019
What plans he has to meet the Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations of the Scottish Government.

The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union spoke with the Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations in the Scottish Government within the first few days of his reappointment.

The Secretary of State looks forward to seeing him next at the Joint Ministerial Committee on European Union Negotiations later this month.

I have written to my counterparts in the Scottish and Welsh governments and look forward to meeting with them soon.

13th Dec 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, when he or Ministers of his Department last met the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to discuss the Ireland Act 1949 and the rights of Irish citizens after the UK leaves the European Union.

The Secretary of State and I visited Dublin on 8 September 2016. While in Dublin, we had constructive talks with Charles Flanagan TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as with business leaders. Various issues were discussed, including the future of the border.

As set out in the letter the Secretary of State sent to the Honourable Gentleman on 29 November 2016 on this issue, it is the Government's intention to protect the existing rights enjoyed by UK and Irish nationals when in the other State, and to maintain existing border arrangements provided for by the Common Travel Area once the UK has left the EU. Leaders in the UK and Ireland have been unequivocal in their commitment to this shared intent.

17th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many times the Sub-Saharan Africa National Security Strategy Implementation Group has met since its formation.

National Strategy Implementation Groups implement National Security Council direction for specific priority areas, which can change over time. It would not be appropriate to provide a running public commentary on their work, as some National Strategy Implementation Group work could be sensitive at the time.

17th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the membership is of the Sub-Saharan Africa National Security Strategy Implementation Group and Whitehall Africa Group.

The Sub-Saharan Africa National Strategy Implementation Group and Whitehall Africa Group takes a collective, cross government approach; convening authoritative representatives from the Departments and Agencies central to deliver its responsibilities.

9th Jan 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what aid and support is being provided by her Department to unaccompanied children resident in the internally displaced camps of Iraq.

Children in Iraq have been disproportionately impacted by four years of Daesh control. DFID is working with UNICEF to provide specialist child protection services, tailored to the individual needs of 12,000 of the most vulnerable children, including in IDP camps. This specialised programme provides psychosocial support, counselling, legal representation, as well as wider protection services to the children who need them most.

Furthermore, DFID is one of the largest donors to the UN’s Iraq Humanitarian Fund (IHF), having committed over £74m since 2014. The IHF is the primary mechanism through which the international community has responded to the humanitarian crisis in Iraq since 2014. It provides multi-sector support for girls and boys through the provision of education, protection, education, and healthcare services to hundreds of thousands of children each year.

DFID humanitarian experts maintain a close dialogue with all humanitarian stakeholders in Iraq and we remain committed to advocating for the needs of children displaced by the conflict, including those who are unaccompanied.

9th Jan 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what humanitarian aid her Department is providing in the camps for the displaced people from Mosul, Iraq.

DFID is one of the largest donors to the UN’s Iraq Humanitarian Fund (IHF), having committed over £74m since 2014. The IHF was one of the largest and most comprehensive funding mechanisms available for humanitarian partners responding to the needs of Moslawis throughout 2017 and 2018. The IHF rapidly scaled up its operations in advance of Mosul’s liberation, including with significant financial support from DFID. In March 2017, for example, over £1.5m was allocated by the IHF to expand and upgrade water and sanitation facilities in Haj Ali IDP camp in Ninewa Governorate, to ensure preparedness for the increasing caseload of displaced people from Mosul. The IHF continues to support dozens of humanitarian camps in the region, and DFID maintains a close dialogue with the UN in this respect.

In addition to helping those displaced from Mosul, DFID is supporting efforts to improve conditions in the city so that people can return home following the conflict. This includes over £30m in funding for the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and UNDP’s Funding Facility for Stabilisation (FFS) since 2015. UNMAS focusses on the removal of explosive hazards and the FFS works to restore basic services; the latter has already rehabilitated dozens of hospitals and schools, and is currently carrying out work to repair the decimated electricity grid in West Mosul.

23rd May 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will publish information on the recent programme with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence Reforms Project Office to develop a housing system for the armed forces of Ukraine; and what the cost to the public purse was of that programme.

This project provided technical assistance to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence to support modernisation of the accommodation system for Ukrainian military personnel. It supported delivery of the UK’s objective to help Ukraine reform its Defence/armed forces to eliminate corruption and increase civilian oversight and rule of law, strengthening the resilience and stability of the State. The total cost over some 15 months was £414,930. The project successfully delivered its four main outputs: a proposal for a trusted and transparent centralised process for queue management; a policy for new accommodation maintenance, procurement and contracting standards for the Ukraine defence forces; new construction tender requirements and contracting guidelines; and a concept paper for a new defence housing system and detailed reform implementation plan for at least 2 years.

25th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what her Department’s plans are to support Scotch whisky exports to China (a) in general and (b) through supporting continued adherence to a high whisky standard in domestic regulation.

UK food and drink, including Scotch whisky, is renowned worldwide for its quality and provenance. In 2021, whisky was the highest value UK food and drink export to China and amounted to £200.1m. The UK government’s agriculture, food and drink counsellor in China works closely with the Scotch Whisky Association and whisky companies to promote whisky in China. This includes supporting the protection of intellectual property and whisky tasting and educational events and promotions, including via digital media. Our success is built on our strong domestic standards and the quality and safety of our products.

25th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps her Department is taking to help support British businesses trying to secure hard currency in Nigeria.

Increasing and promoting trade with Nigeria is a priority for the UK Government. Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Nigeria was £3.5 billion last year (ending Q3 2021), an increase of 1.9% or £65 million from the previous year. At the most recent bi-annual UK-Nigeria Economic Development Forum government to government dialogue, held on 26 April, Ministers from both countries agreed to start a working group to discuss how to enhance the bilateral trading relationship.

Officials are working to support British business access foreign exchange facilities through the Economic Development Forum and the associated Finance and Financial Services Working Group.

From 2016 to 2021 UK exports of spirits to Nigeria increased by 92.1%. DIT continues to offer a wide range of support for British alcohol and spirit producers wishing to export into Nigeria. Through our work, import adjustment tax is now no longer applicable on Scotch Whisky exports to Nigeria.

25th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what the Government's plans are to increase trade with Nigeria; and what recent assessment she has made of the potential for an enhanced trade partnership with Nigeria along the lines of the partnership proposed for Brazil.

Increasing and promoting trade with Nigeria is a priority for the UK Government. Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Nigeria was £3.5 billion last year (ending Q3 2021), an increase of 1.9% or £65 million from the previous year. At the most recent bi-annual UK-Nigeria Economic Development Forum government to government dialogue, held on 26 April, Ministers from both countries agreed to start a working group to discuss how to enhance the bilateral trading relationship.

Officials are working to support British business access foreign exchange facilities through the Economic Development Forum and the associated Finance and Financial Services Working Group.

From 2016 to 2021 UK exports of spirits to Nigeria increased by 92.1%. DIT continues to offer a wide range of support for British alcohol and spirit producers wishing to export into Nigeria. Through our work, import adjustment tax is now no longer applicable on Scotch Whisky exports to Nigeria.

25th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what estimate she has made of the potential to increase UK spirits exports to Nigeria.

Increasing and promoting trade with Nigeria is a priority for the UK Government. Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Nigeria was £3.5 billion last year (ending Q3 2021), an increase of 1.9% or £65 million from the previous year. At the most recent bi-annual UK-Nigeria Economic Development Forum government to government dialogue, held on 26 April, Ministers from both countries agreed to start a working group to discuss how to enhance the bilateral trading relationship.

Officials are working to support British business access foreign exchange facilities through the Economic Development Forum and the associated Finance and Financial Services Working Group.

From 2016 to 2021 UK exports of spirits to Nigeria increased by 92.1%. DIT continues to offer a wide range of support for British alcohol and spirit producers wishing to export into Nigeria. Through our work, import adjustment tax is now no longer applicable on Scotch Whisky exports to Nigeria.