Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2024 to Question 19765 on Large Goods Vehicles: Concrete, when her Department plans to publish the findings from the call to evidence on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department will publish its findings shortly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of border checks on the cut flower industry.

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

The Government is committed to protecting our biosecurity and we are using a risk-based approach to maintain the appropriate level of controls.

Defra will continue to monitor for new and emerging risks and review the border control checks introduced under the Border Target Operating Model.

GB plant health services have increased the number of plant health inspection staff to service the demand for import checks in England and Wales of EU plants and plant products.

Inspector levels are being monitored to ensure these meet demand and deliver checks in line with set Service Level Agreements and ensure minimal trade disruption.

Certain EU Medium Risk cut flowers have been subject to pre-notification since 1 January 2022. EU Medium Risk cut flowers have required a Phytosanitary Certificate since 31 January 2024, but there are now inspections for EU Medium Risk goods at the border since 30 April 2024.

To reduce and prevent the introduction and establishment of invasive non-native species (INNS) we have prioritised horticulture as one of the top 5 pathways of introduction. We have developed a Horticulture Pathway Action Plan, available here: https://www.nonnativespecies.org/biosecurity/pathway-action-plans/horticulture-pap-for-great-britain/ which aims to address the most likely routes by which INNS can get into the country.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislation to end male primogeniture for baronetage.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Government recognises that baronetcies, like other hereditary titles, can usually only be inherited by male heirs. However, the Government is prioritising on delivering its manifesto commitments, including reform of the House of Lords.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment on the potential merits of extending eligibility for the zero-rate VAT for charities to include flood defence equipment.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

To protect the country from the devastating impacts of flooding, the Government has committed £2.4 billion over the next two years to improve flood resilience by maintaining, repairing and building flood defences.

Through this funding the Government provides direct support to communities facing flooding, and therefore we have no plans to change the VAT treatment of flood defence equipment for charities. VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s second largest tax forecast to raise £171 billion in 2024/25. Taxation is a vital source of revenue that helps to fund vital public services including schools and hospitals.

Interstitial Lung Disease

Found: Charlotte Cane; Sam Carling; John Grady; Peter Lamb; John Lamont; Luke Taylor; Mr Richard Quigley; Michelle Welsh

Found: Cane; Sam Carling; Lauren Edwards; Peter Lamb; John Lamont; Mr Richard Quigley; Luke Taylor; Michelle Welsh

Found: Campbell-Savours Charlotte Cane Lauren Edwards John Grady Peter Lamb Mr Richard Quigley Luke Taylor Michelle Welsh

Found: Cane; Sam Carling; Lauren Edwards; Peter Lamb; John Lamont; Mr Richard Quigley; Luke Taylor; Michelle Welsh

Found: The second amendment (column 78) was in response to Michelle Welsh, I said: “What the evidence says