Asked by: Patricia Gibson (Scottish National Party - North Ayrshire and Arran)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he is taking steps with international counterparts to classify wrecks of warships as war graves.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The term “war graves” is one which only applies to the final resting places of fallen troops on land, and locations can only be designated as a war grave by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).
However, as a matter of customary international law, all naval warships, state vessels and associated artefacts are afforded protection through the principle of Sovereign Immunity. The UK is of the view that, unless expressly relinquished or abandoned by the Flag State, the Sovereign Immunity of the wreck of any Crown vessel remains in place, regardless of where the wreck in question is located, and those who lost their lives in service of our country should be left in situ and undisturbed.
Some warships are also afforded additional protection under the Protection of Military Remains Act (PMRA). Vessels of historical significance, at risk of salvage and that are the last resting place of our service personnel are considered for inclusion.
Asked by: Patricia Gibson (Scottish National Party - North Ayrshire and Arran)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Competition and Markets Authority on when it plans to conclude its review of the use of unit pricing in the groceries sector.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government welcomes this review and looks forward to its results. The Department understands the CMA plans to conclude its review this year.
Details of the CMA’s review can be found on its website here: https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/unit-pricing.
Asked by: Patricia Gibson (Scottish National Party - North Ayrshire and Arran)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of establishing a remote ID verification process for people applying for Universal Credit from remote and island communities.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
When applying for Universal Credit (UC), a claimant is required to confirm their identity by using the on-line service, as part of the claim process. Where a claimant has not attempted online verification, or has attempted and failed, then they will be asked to attend a face-to-face interview (F2F). This process would be different for each claimant including those from remote and island communities. It is necessary to undertake this to ensure the claimant is who they say they are and to prevent fraud.
Asked by: Patricia Gibson (Scottish National Party - North Ayrshire and Arran)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 June 2023 to Question 187400 on HMS Dasher, if his Department will provide support for the search for grave sites of those servicemen lost in HMS Dasher in 1943 on land, who were not included in official records.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
HMS DASHER tragically sank in March 1943 following an explosion onboard where no enemy action was involved. All those lost on HMS DASHER are commemorated either on a headstone marking their grave, or on a memorial to the missing.
The wreck of HMS DASHER is the last known resting place for 356 servicemen and, in line with Government policy to let war casualties lie undisturbed, the wreck is designated as a controlled site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986; this means the site can only be accessed under a licence granted by the Secretary of State for Defence.
In response to concerns that some casualties from this tragedy were buried on land, there has been two surveys. Neither survey has found any evidence of casualties buried on land and there is no intention to conduct further surveys until such time as further evidence is provided.
Asked by: Patricia Gibson (Scottish National Party - North Ayrshire and Arran)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 June too Question 187400 on HMS Dasher, if he will support the search for grave sites on land of those lost in HMS Dasher in 1943 which are not included in official records.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
HMS DASHER tragically sank in March 1943 following an explosion onboard where no enemy action was involved. All those lost on HMS DASHER are commemorated either on a headstone marking their grave, or on a memorial to the missing.
The wreck of HMS DASHER is the last known resting place for 356 servicemen and, in line with Government policy to let war casualties lie undisturbed, the wreck is designated as a controlled site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986; this means the site can only be accessed under a licence granted by the Secretary of State for Defence.
In response to concerns that some casualties from this tragedy were buried on land, there has been two surveys. Neither survey has found any evidence of casualties buried on land and there is no intention to conduct further surveys until such time as further evidence is provided.
Asked by: Patricia Gibson (Scottish National Party - North Ayrshire and Arran)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues about removing the promotional prices exemption in supermarkets from the Price Marking Order 2004 to allow consumers to compare unit pricing of products.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is currently reviewing the use of unit pricing in the groceries sector.
As noted by the Chancellor in discussion with representatives of the groceries sector on 23 May, the Government will consider updating pricing rules, including by revising the Price Marking Order 2004, once the CMA review has concluded.
Asked by: Patricia Gibson (Scottish National Party - North Ayrshire and Arran)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will support the search for grave sites of those lost in HMS Dasher in 1943.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
HMS DASHER tragically sank in March 1943 following an explosion onboard where no enemy action was involved. Records show that 23 servicemen are buried in marked graves at the following locations, Ardrossan Cemetery (13), Greenock Cemetery (seven), Frizington Roman Catholic Cemetery (one), Mearns Cemetery (one) and at Paisley (Hawkhead) Cemetery (one).
It is Government policy that, where a wreck of a ship is the final resting place for our Service men and women, they should be allowed to lie undisturbed. As DASHER is the last known resting place for 356 Servicemen, the wreck is designated as a controlled site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986; this means the site can only be accessed under a licence granted by the Secretary of State for Defence. The lives of those lost are commemorated on war memorials around the country.
Asked by: Patricia Gibson (Scottish National Party - North Ayrshire and Arran)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she will publish the outcome of the 2014 public consultation on section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
Answered by Tom Tugendhat - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security)
The Government intends to bring forward proposals and engage with stakeholders this year on transparency and the protection of confidential information regarding the regulation of the use of animals in science.
By doing so the Government intends to clarify Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, taking account of the previous consultation.
Asked by: Patricia Gibson (Scottish National Party - North Ayrshire and Arran)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what additional funding his Department has provided for research into cardiac risk in young adults in the last 12 months.
Answered by Will Quince
The Department commissions research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including cardiac risk in young adults. It is not usual practice to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality.
Asked by: Patricia Gibson (Scottish National Party - North Ayrshire and Arran)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when his Department plans to respond to the correspondence of 8 February 2023 and 24 March 2023 from the hon. Member for North Ayrshire and Arran on money laundering regulations.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
I would like to reassure the hon. Member that her letter is receiving urgent attention and will be responded to imminently.