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 recent reports of the shelling of civilian infrastructure in Thailand by Cambodian forces; and if he will support a UN investigation into potential breaches of international humanitarian law.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government continues to monitor the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute closely with officials from our Embassies in Bangkok and Phnom Penh conducting site visits to affected areas to better understand the impact on local populations. We urge all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and take all necessary steps to protect civilians.

As set out in our public statements of 28 July and 7 August, the agreement of a framework for a full ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand is a welcome development. It is essential that both sides now work together to implement and maintain this agreement. This message has been conveyed directly to both governments.

We support the Association of South East Asian Nations' leadership in working with Cambodia and Thailand to resolve the border conflict, including its efforts to deploy an Observer Mission. We believe this can play an important role in providing an independent assessment of the situation and in de-escalating tensions on the border.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of providing protection and support during Donald Trump's visit to Scotland.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

We were delighted to welcome the President to the UK earlier this year. The visit supported our deep and enduring alliance with the United States, which is vital for both our economic and security interests.

As is the case for many visits from high profile individuals, the President’s visit was in part funded by the taxpayer.

It is right that the Government and policing partners take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of foreign dignitaries when on UK soil.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she plans to sign the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance; and for what reason the UK has not yet signed that Convention.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Government considers that the current domestic framework and legislation already prevent arbitrary arrests, prohibits torture and degrading treatment, and holds the Security and Intelligence Agencies to account.

We therefore currently have no plans to sign or ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances.

We strongly condemn any instances of enforced disappearance internationally. We urge states to fully investigate any allegations, prosecute those responsible and provide justice to victims.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that internet-connected smart TVs do not monitor users’ activity without prior, informed consent; and if she will consider requiring such devices to use an opt-in system for data collection.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

All organisations in the UK that process personal data must comply with the requirements of the UK GDPR, including ensuring any processing is lawful, fair and transparent. Providers of smart devices must consider how their products implement these principles effectively and include appropriate safeguards to protect people's rights.

In addition, the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 include more specific rules on the use of technologies such as cookies on people’s smart devices. This is prevented unless an exception applies, for example, where the user has given their consent.

The Information Commissioner is currently consulting on a revised version of guidance on the use of storage and access technologies.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will consider introducing a national scheme offering small grants to private individuals for the creation of climate-resilient, wildlife-friendly gardens.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

We recognise the importance of individual action and the contribution that wildlife-friendly gardens can make to nature recovery and climate resilience. Our Land Use Consultation this year asked about approaches to support such outcomes in urban areas. We are considering the responses we received, which will inform the upcoming Land Use Framework.

We also coordinate and work with a range of partners to promote guidance and support for individuals. For example, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew’s Grow Wild programme inspires and supports individual and community gardening, and Defra’s annual Bees’ Needs Week and Bees’ Needs Champions Awards celebrate action and promote simple actions everyone can take to benefit pollinators. We encourage individuals to participate in and contribute to the preparation of Local Nature Recovery Strategies to help shape nature recovery in their area.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of rural broadband coverage.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Rural broadband coverage is not good enough. We are delivering nationwide gigabit broadband, through Project Gigabit.

Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, 89% of premises benefitting from government broadband schemes were in rural areas.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to support families in rural areas with the cost of transport to schools.

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

The Government knows how important affordable and reliable bus services are in enabling people to get to education, particularly in rural areas.

On 1 January, we introduced a £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London to help passengers continue to access cheaper bus services and better opportunities. At the Spending Review we announced the cap would be extended until March 2027.

At present, the majority of bus services operate on a commercial basis by private operators, and any decisions regarding the level at which fares are set outside the scope of the £3 bus fare cap are commercial decisions for operators. Bus operators can choose to offer discounted fares for young people, and in the year ending March 2025, youth discounts were offered by at least one commercial bus operator in 73 out of 85 local authority areas in England outside London.

As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government allocated £955 million to support and improve bus services in 2025/26. This includes £712 million for local authorities, this can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people. Devon County Council has been allocated £11.6 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, which could include introducing new fares initiatives to reduce the cost of bus travel for young people.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether pension increases resulting from voluntary National Insurance contributions are backdated to the date HMRC received payment in cases where processing delays exceed the expected timeframe.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Where voluntary National Insurance contributions lead to a pension increase, the adjustment is applied to the relevant tax years being applied for and is backdated to the date HMRC received the payment, even if processing takes longer than expected.

National inquiry into child sexual exploitation

Political donations

Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme

Final delivery plan on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

Equitable national prostate cancer screening

Chinook Justice Campaign

100th anniversary of Devon in Sight

Found: of 36 (77.8%) Dan Carden (Labour, Liverpool Walton) (added 21 Oct 2024) 28 of 45 (62.2%) Richard Foord

Found: South and Eddisbury) Phil Brickell (Labour; Bolton West) Dan Carden (Labour; Liverpool Walton) Richard Foord

Found: meeting Members present: Emily Thornberry (Chair); Alex Ballinger; Aphra Brandreth; Phil Brickell; Richard Foord

Found: meeting Members present: Emily Thornberry (Chair); Alex Ballinger; Aphra Brandreth; Phil Brickell; Richard Foord

Found: Lincoln Jopp Emma Lewell Mike Martin Ian Roome Michelle Scrogham Fred Thomas Derek Twigg Richard Foord

Found: Foreign Affairs Committee member present: Richard Foord.

Found: meeting Members present: Emily Thornberry (Chair); Alex Ballinger; Aphra Brandreth; Phil Brickell; Richard Foord

Found: Young Jess Brown-Fuller Alison Bennett Dr Danny Chambers Sarah Dyke Charlotte Cane Olly Glover Richard Foord

Found: Young Jess Brown-Fuller Alison Bennett Dr Danny Chambers Sarah Dyke Charlotte Cane Olly Glover Richard Foord