Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to prevent the police from charging victims of theft whose cars have been stolen for the cost of holding or releasing those vehicles.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (RTRA) empowers the police to remove vehicles that are dangerously, illegally, or obstructively parked, or broken down or abandoned, which includes vehicles abandoned after theft.

Removals and storage entail a cost, which would have to be paid for out of police budgets if not met by the vehicle owner. As a result, the police are empowered to charge the owner prescribed sums, which are set by Statutory Instrument and vary according to the size of the vehicle and other factors.

In 2021, the previous government conducted a consultation on the charges for the removal, storage and disposal of vehicles, and published a response to the findings of that consultation exercise in March 2023.

This response stated that: “When a vehicle owner has their vehicle stolen and restored to them, they can either decide to pay the recovery fee themselves, pass the recovery fee onto their insurance provider, or choose not to have their vehicle returned.” It did not propose any change to these arrangements.

Nevertheless, it is important to note that – in addition to the options above – the police are also empowered to waive the recovery fee at their discretion, taking into account any special circumstances, including the ability of the owner to pay, but this remains an operational matter for their judgement.

We will keep this matter under review, but at present, it remains the case that the charging of recovery fees is the most sustainable means of funding the costs incurred by the police in removing and storing abandoned vehicles.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department will take steps to ensure the Port of Dover has sufficient energy supply to the Port to implement electric ferry charging points.

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

The Government published the Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy on 25 March, which outlines domestic goals and commitments to decarbonise maritime transport, and a call for evidence on Net Zero Ports was launched to assess future energy demand at ports like Dover.

More broadly, the Government is working with Ofgem to ensure their price controls support necessary investment in the electricity network for the clean energy and growth missions, including maritime transport electrification. The next distribution price control, RIIO-ED3 covering 2028 to 2033, which will be informed by Regional Energy Strategic Plans to support strategic network investments.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of using disused mine shafts for clean energy creation using heat pump technology in Dover and Deal constituency.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

To achieve net zero at lowest cost, we must look at how to accelerate all low carbon technologies including geothermal. The mine water from coal mines shows good potential as a renewable source for heat networks.

The government is therefore supporting mine water schemes at Gateshead and Seaham Garden Village through the Heat Network Investment Project and the Green Heat Network Fund. No specific assessment has been made in Dover and Deal and although the Mining Remediation Authority has released opportunity maps for Wales and ten UK cities these do not cover this area.

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 implications for his policies of (a) the level of terrorist activity in the West Bank and (b) Iran's support for terrorism in the West Bank through weapons smuggling.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK remains concerned by the threat of terrorism in the West Bank and strongly condemns all acts of terrorism. Stability in the West Bank is crucial to ensure any ceasefire in Gaza can last. All sides should work to ensure a lowering of tension in the West Bank at this time. The UK is seriously concerned by the expansion of Israel's operations in the West Bank. We recognise Israel's security concerns, but it must show restraint and ensure its operations are commensurate to the threat posed. The UK has also been clear that Hamas cannot play a role in the future of Gaza. The UK is clear that all parties in Gaza must re-engage with negotiations to get hostages out and secure a permanent end to this conflict.

Iran's long-standing support for terrorist groups across the Middle East, including those active in the West Bank, destabilises the region and jeopardises international security. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have made clear to their Iranian counterparts that Iran must restrain these groups and cease providing them with support.

Found: Farnsworth Sir Ashley Fox Warinder Juss Tessa Munt Sarah Russell Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst Mike Tapp