Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on making the wearing of a sgian dubh illegal.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The wearing of the sgian dubh is permitted where it is being worn as part of a national costume. There are no plans to change this.

However, we are clear that if any bladed or pointed article is used to threaten or harm others, this will be met with the full force of the law.

This strikes the balance between protecting public safety and protecting freedoms.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when the last meeting of the East-West Council established under the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper was; and who attended.

Answered by Hilary Benn

The Government is continuing to implement the Safeguarding the Union command paper and to support Northern Ireland's place in the Union.

Part of that commitment is regular meetings of the East-West Council. The Council last met in January 2026, with representatives from the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive in attendance.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when the next meeting of the East-West Council established under the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper is due to take place.

Answered by Hilary Benn

The Government is continuing to implement the Safeguarding the Union command paper and to support Northern Ireland's place in the Union.

Part of that commitment is regular meetings of the East-West Council. We intend that the Council will next meet in autumn 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many hon. Members received direct payment from his Department in each of the last 10 years by year and service provided.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

With the exception of salary paid to the Secretary of State for Defence, and Defence Ministers, it is not possible to identify whether any other direct payments have been made to current or former Members of Parliament as a cohort. Whether the recipient of any type of payment for any reason is a Member of Parliament, is not centrally recorded and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Hartley Pensions and FCA enforcement action (No. 2)

Richard Pengelly

30th anniversary of Christians Against Poverty

78th anniversary of the creation of the National Health Service

Found: Q20 Robin Swann: Thank you, Sir Robert.

Found: Q20 Robin Swann: Thank you, Sir Robert.

Found: Q51 Robin Swann: Thank you for what you have said so far, folks.

Found: • Mike Nesbitt & Robin Swann, Ulster Unionist leader (and his predecessor) • Jim Allister, TUV leader

Submit Evidence (by 1 Sep 2026)

The committee is undertaking an inquiry into the taxation of the hospitality and tourism sectors in Northern Ireland, which will consider differences in VAT rates and other costs between Northern Ireland’s hospitality and tourism sectors compared with the Republic of Ireland. It will examine the potential impact of a reduced VAT rate and explore what other tax and policy changes could help support the sectors.