Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had recent discussions with Babcock on increasing the number of welding apprenticeships on UK based defence contracts.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This Government recognises the vital role Defence, and its skilled workforce, play not only in our national security but also to the economic prosperity and growth of the United Kingdom. We must work with the UK defence sector to boost skills, build rewarding careers and bring prosperity to all nations and regions.

As part of the Department's assessment of supply chain risks, the Ministry of Defence regularly monitors the availability of suitably qualified and experienced personnel needed in the delivery of our Defence programmes. The Department also has regular engagement with its suppliers to ensure the availability of the critical skills required, and the demand for craft skills, including welders, is recognised across the defence sector. This has been reflected by the launch of a new apprenticeship welding school in Bristol by Babcock earlier this year, providing a skills boost to the region and UK defence.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many vacancies are currently within HM Prison and Probation Service.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

HM Prison and Probation Service holds required staffing levels which are subject to regular amendment and managed at a local and regional level. As a result of this discretion HMPPS does not present vacancy data due to variability in required staffing levels.

HM Prison and Probation does, however, publish indicative vacancies in the HMPPS Workforce stats: HM Prison and Probation Service workforce quarterly: June 2025 - GOV.UK.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average number of (a) prisoners held and (b) staff employed by HM Prison Service was in each of the last eight years.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

Detailed statistics on the number of offenders in custody are published quarterly, including for the last eight years, and are available here: Offender management statistics quarterly - GOV.UK. The average annual population can be found in Table 1_A_3 of the Annual Prison Population tables, published each July, and the June 30 snapshot population (typically used to represent the population in a particular calendar year) can be found in table 1_A_1.

The quarterly HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) workforce statistics includes headcount and Full Time Equivalent figures, as well as annual average staff in post figures for HMPPS staff. The latest data in the quarterly HMPPS workforce statistics covers the period up to the end of June 2025, and figures back to 2010 are available here: HM Prison and Probation Service workforce statistics - GOV.UK.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the median length of service was for prison officers in the latest period for which data is available.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The median length of service for all band 3-5 prison officers in post on 30 June 2025 was 5.2 years.

The length of service in HMPPS is calculated from most recent hire date. Where staff have transferred in from another Government Department or have transferred in through HMPPS taking over a function, length of service is calculated from entry to HMPPS, and therefore the median presented excludes experience in other roles, including in private prisons. Band 3-5 officers includes Band 3-4 / Prison Officers (incl specialists), Band 4 / Supervising Officers, and Band 5 / Custodial Managers.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of patients admitted to hospital with (a) covid, (b) flu and (c) respiratory syncytial virus in (i) 2025, (ii) 2024 and (iii) 2023.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England publishes data on hospital admissions, including due to influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The data is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/hospital-accident--emergency-activity

NHS England publishes data on hospital admissions including those that relate to the number of patients admitted with COVID-19. The data is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-hospital-activity/

The following table shows the number of hospital admissions for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV in 2023/24 and 2024/25:

Source: NHS England Digital

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 28 May 2025 to Question 53618, if she will make an estimate of potential cost savings from introducing a rolling programme of electrification.

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

The department has not made an estimate of the potential savings of a rolling programme of electrification; however, we recognise the potential benefits such a programme could have for reducing the cost of delivering electrification infrastructure in this country. Officials are working closely with Network Rail to deliver updated plans for where and when electrification is required to deliver a fully decarbonised railway over the next 25 years that considers both track and train and the significant recent progress in battery technology and will consider potential cost savings as part of this process.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 28 May 2025 to Question 53618, when she expects updated plans for where and when electrification is required to deliver a fully decarbonised railway over the next 25 years to be a) concluded and b) published.

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

Officials from the Department for Transport are working closely with Network Rail to produce their new 'Long-term Planning for Rail Decarbonisation' strategy, any plan which arises from this strategy will cover 25 years and set out a realistic, affordable, and deliverable approach to a net zero railway, with consideration for the bespoke electrification needs of freight operators. We expect Network Rail to engage with industry as part of the development of this strategy and we expect to see a draft of this strategy before the end of this year.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help reduce crimes against (a) endangered species and (b) other wildlife.

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

Wildlife crime can have devastating consequences for our natural environments and countryside communities. This Government is committed to reducing crime, including in rural areas, and anyone exploiting or deliberately harming British wildlife should face the full force of the law.

This financial year, we are continuing to fund the National Wildlife Crime Unit who provide intelligence, analysis and investigative assistance to forces and other law enforcement agencies across the UK to support them in investigating wildlife crime.

They are also the UK policing focal point for EUROPOL and INTERPOL wildlife crime activity, tackling the illegal trade of endangered species.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number of arrests that have been made following police use of facial recognition technology.

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

The Home Office does not hold data on the number of arrests made following the police’s use of facial recognition technology. The department is, however, funding national evaluation to understand the impact of facial recognition on police and crime outcomes, and its relationship to public trust and confidence.

Where police forces are using live facial recognition technology, the number of arrests made following each deployment are published on their respective websites.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support British citizens in the Caribbean impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to my statement to the House on 4 November 2025, Official Report, vol. 774, col. 33WS to 35WS.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps she has taken with international partners to help ensure that (a) pregnant women and (b) breastfeeding women and (c) young children can access (i) healthcare and (ii) humanitarian aid in Gaza.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 4 November to Question 85841.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Bangladeshi counterpart on ending religious-based violence in that country.

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

The UK remains deeply concerned about religious-based violence in Bangladesh. The previous Minister for the Indo-Pacific visited Bangladesh in November 2024 and discussed the importance of protection of religious minorities with the Chief Adviser. In February 2025, the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, visited Bangladesh and held meetings with the Interim Government to discuss issues of justice, accountability, and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

The UK welcomed public condemnations of violence from Bangladeshi leaders and civil society and supports the interim Government's actions to safeguard vulnerable communities.

Our commitment to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) is reflected in our £27 million Bangladesh Collaborative, Accountable and Peaceful Politics programme (2023-2028), which aims to protect civic space, foster inclusive dialogue, and address tensions that can lead to violence.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has taken steps to help support residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands in their response to Hurricane Melissa.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 4 November on the UK's response to Hurricane Melissa.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has taken steps to help support residents of the Cayman Islands in response to Hurricane Melissa.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 4 November on the UK's response to Hurricane Melissa.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make it her policy for the UK to advocate against a policy of Ukrainian appeasement towards Russia in diplomatic discussions with all other countries, for as long as it remains Ukraine's position to oppose appeasement.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is focussed on ensuring Ukraine gets the support it needs to defend itself against Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion, and on ramping up the pressure on Putin to force him to engage in meaningful talks that result in a just and lasting peace. We are united with partners that the fighting should stop immediately, that the current line of contact should be the starting point for negotiations, and that international borders must not be changed by force.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if the UK Government will continue it’s policy not to place pressure on Ukraine to adopt a policy of appeasement against Russia.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is focussed on ensuring Ukraine gets the support it needs to defend itself against Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion, and on ramping up the pressure on Putin to force him to engage in meaningful talks that result in a just and lasting peace. We are united with partners that the fighting should stop immediately, that the current line of contact should be the starting point for negotiations, and that international borders must not be changed by force.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her department holds on the potential benefit of the (a) construction and (b) operation of a western rail link to Heathrow Airport on (i) trends in the level of economic growth (ii) the environment and (iii) civil society.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The economic and societal benefits of a western rail link to Heathrow Airport were previously assessed as part of a business case development process which concluded in 2021. No further work to assess the benefits of a rail link has been undertaken by DfT since then, as Heathrow expansion plans were not progressed at the time. Given changes in commuter and leisure travel patterns and the wider economy since that time, the benefits of any such scheme will need to be revisited. Any promoter is expected to develop a clear surface access strategy as part of their expansion plans, and any necessary surface access improvements will be financed through private funding.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many officials were investigated under their Department's disciplinary processes in each of the last five years.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The number of employees who were subject to an investigation as part of the department’s disciplinary process is shown in table below.

*1 January - 30 September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent steps he has taken to protect renters' rights in Slough constituency.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Renters’ Rights Bill received Royal Assent on Monday 27 October.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will ask the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to respond to the coroner's Prevention of Future Death report following the death of Chloe Burgess.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence responded to the Hampshire Coroner’s Prevention of Future Death Report following the death of Chloe Burgess on 28 April 2025. The report is available at the following link:

https://www.judiciary.uk/prevention-of-future-death-reports/chloe-burgess-prevention-of-future-deaths-report/

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many officials were investigated under their Department's disciplinary processes in each of the last 5 years.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The data held on how many officials were investigated under the department’s disciplinary processes is not held in the format requested, and is contemporaneous and personally sensitive in nature. For that reason information on disciplinary proceedings is not usually disclosed.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps she has taken with humanitarian organisations to prevent sexual violence in conflict-affected areas in Ethiopia.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Combatting conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) within Ethiopia continues to be a key focus for the UK and we work with UN partners as well as NGOs and the Red Cross in order to support those affected by these particular human rights violations. Civilians across various regions have been severely impacted over many years of conflict and the number of people affected continues to rise.

The UK has prioritised healthcare, psychosocial support, access to justice, as well as policy efforts to increase accountability. In the last financial year, we allocated £4.6 million to deliver Gender Based Violence (GBV) and child protection services in Tigray, Afar, Amhara, Oromia and Somali regions. Between June 2023 and January 2025, GBV and child protection services reached over 50,000 women and girls, across 19 health facilities in affected regions. The UK remains committed to preventing CRSV and funding for GBV prevention and response has increased this financial year. Funding for future years has not yet been allocated.

Civilians in Amhara region have been severely impacted by over two years of conflict between government forces and 'Fano' militias. The ongoing conflict has led to significant humanitarian need and widespread conflict-related human rights violations and abuses, including extra-judicial killings, sexual and gender-based violence and attacks against civilians. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has called for full investigations into abductions and killings of civilians and for perpetrators to be held accountable. Humanitarian indicators are deteriorating with 68 per cent of children now acutely malnourished and diseases, including cholera, spreading. The UK has consistently called for civilians to be protected, human rights abuses to be independently investigated and for the conflict to be resolved through dialogue.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help increase trade between the UK and India.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The UK has signed a landmark trade deal with India which it is estimated will boost the UK’s GDP by £4.8bn and increase bilateral trade by £25.5bn each year, supporting the Government’s Plan for Change.

We are working to bring the deal into force as quickly as possible.

We are helping businesses to prepare to seize the opportunities from the agreement, including through bespoke guidance and trade promotion sessions. The Prime Minister recently led a major trade delegation to India to drive trade, investment, and growth across the UK.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support his Department is providing to humanitarian organisations operating in conflict-affected areas of Ethiopia.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Combatting conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) within Ethiopia continues to be a key focus for the UK and we work with UN partners as well as NGOs and the Red Cross in order to support those affected by these particular human rights violations. Civilians across various regions have been severely impacted over many years of conflict and the number of people affected continues to rise.

The UK has prioritised healthcare, psychosocial support, access to justice, as well as policy efforts to increase accountability. In the last financial year, we allocated £4.6 million to deliver Gender Based Violence (GBV) and child protection services in Tigray, Afar, Amhara, Oromia and Somali regions. Between June 2023 and January 2025, GBV and child protection services reached over 50,000 women and girls, across 19 health facilities in affected regions. The UK remains committed to preventing CRSV and funding for GBV prevention and response has increased this financial year. Funding for future years has not yet been allocated.

Civilians in Amhara region have been severely impacted by over two years of conflict between government forces and 'Fano' militias. The ongoing conflict has led to significant humanitarian need and widespread conflict-related human rights violations and abuses, including extra-judicial killings, sexual and gender-based violence and attacks against civilians. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has called for full investigations into abductions and killings of civilians and for perpetrators to be held accountable. Humanitarian indicators are deteriorating with 68 per cent of children now acutely malnourished and diseases, including cholera, spreading. The UK has consistently called for civilians to be protected, human rights abuses to be independently investigated and for the conflict to be resolved through dialogue.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the safety of ethnic Amhara communities in Ethiopia.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Combatting conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) within Ethiopia continues to be a key focus for the UK and we work with UN partners as well as NGOs and the Red Cross in order to support those affected by these particular human rights violations. Civilians across various regions have been severely impacted over many years of conflict and the number of people affected continues to rise.

The UK has prioritised healthcare, psychosocial support, access to justice, as well as policy efforts to increase accountability. In the last financial year, we allocated £4.6 million to deliver Gender Based Violence (GBV) and child protection services in Tigray, Afar, Amhara, Oromia and Somali regions. Between June 2023 and January 2025, GBV and child protection services reached over 50,000 women and girls, across 19 health facilities in affected regions. The UK remains committed to preventing CRSV and funding for GBV prevention and response has increased this financial year. Funding for future years has not yet been allocated.

Civilians in Amhara region have been severely impacted by over two years of conflict between government forces and 'Fano' militias. The ongoing conflict has led to significant humanitarian need and widespread conflict-related human rights violations and abuses, including extra-judicial killings, sexual and gender-based violence and attacks against civilians. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has called for full investigations into abductions and killings of civilians and for perpetrators to be held accountable. Humanitarian indicators are deteriorating with 68 per cent of children now acutely malnourished and diseases, including cholera, spreading. The UK has consistently called for civilians to be protected, human rights abuses to be independently investigated and for the conflict to be resolved through dialogue.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help increase trade between the UK and Canada.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Canada is a close ally and valued partner of the UK, with the UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement (TCA) underpinning our £29 billion worth of bilateral trade which has increased by 16.2% on the previous year.

In June, our Prime Ministers issued a Joint Statement making it clear we want to enhance this important relationship in a number of areas – including on trade, defence, digital, quantum, and critical minerals. They established the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group with the objective of growing bilateral trade, including by addressing existing market access barriers and building on existing arrangements.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the media organisations given advance sight of the Strategic Defence Review prior to its publication.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As the hon. Member will be aware, the Secretary of State for Defence has been determined to reset the relationship between Parliament and the Ministry of Defence, increasing transparency and openness. The Department sought to reflect this determination for the publication of the Strategic Defence Review, and to build on the approach made for previous defence reviews.

On the day of the launch, we offered embargoed copies of the Strategic Defence Review to key stakeholders, including the House of Commons Defence Committee, media organisations and others. This was done in good faith, reflecting the contribution by stakeholders to the first-of-its-kind review.

We therefore invited the Defence Correspondents Association and several additional outlets to cover UK national media.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to increase the provision of real time information on a) civilian and b) emergency services air traffic to military jets during low altitude training exercises.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The primary measure in open airspace remains airmanship and the 'see and avoid' principle. There are a range of measures already in place to provide additional real time information on civilian air traffic during low level training. This includes communication with Air Traffic Control and the Low Flying Booking Service, datalinks, information from aircraft transponders and increasingly sophisticated on-board sensors and surveillance equipment.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what criteria were used to determine which (a) private companies and their representatives and (b) media organisations and journalists received advance sight of the Strategic Defence Review.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

We invited the Defence Correspondents Association and several additional outlets to cover UK national media.

We also invited companies and associations who are part of the joint Ministry of Defence-Cabinet Office Strategic Partnering Programme, alongside a larger set of key industry stakeholders.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has been made of the potential impact of fireworks on the welfare of (a) livestock and (b) pets.

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

No specific assessment has been made of the potential impact of fireworks on animal welfare.

However, the Government is continuing to engage with animal welfare stakeholders, businesses, consumer groups and charities on the impacts of fireworks, to inform any future action.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support the (a) development and (b) rollout of biomarker tests to support early detection of (i) pancreatic cancer and (ii) other less survivable cancers in primary care services.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

million NHS programme. This is funding more than 300 general practices (GPs) to identify pancreatic cancer early by screening high-risk patients over 60 years old with new diabetes diagnoses and unexplained weight loss. More than 80 GPs across England have begun using the initiative. It will be extended to the other general practices participating in the trial by the end of the year.

The National Disease Registration Service (NDRS) is developing a National Inherited Cancer Predisposition Register (NICPR), which launched on 30 June. The NICPR looks at a wide range of cancers for which there is an increased inherited risk, including for less survivable cancers. It aims to identify high-risk individuals who are eligible for targeted screening and surveillance, and will act as an electronic referral route into national screening programmes where these exist.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a screening programme to detect undiagnosed heart defects in young people.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In the United Kingdom, national screening programmes are introduced based on the recommendations of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent scientific advisory committee which advises ministers and the National Health Service in all four countries on all aspects of population and targeted screening and which supports implementation.

The UK NSC last reviewed screening for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in people under the age of 39 years old in 2019 and concluded that population screening should not be offered. Further information is available at the following link:

https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/sudden-cardiac-death/

The UK NSC is currently examining the evidence for SCD screening and will open a public consultation to seek comments from members of the public and stakeholders on this in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps she has taken to tackle (a) violence and (b) verbal abuse towards public transport workers while at work in (i) Slough and (ii) the South East.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Department for Transport is working with the transport industry to ensure that public transport is a safe environment for staff and passengers. Ensuring that staff feel safe at work is a priority.

Following the horrific attack on the 18:25 LNER Doncaster to London service at Huntingdon on the 1st November, my Department are working with British Transport Police (BTP) and the rail industry to understand if any immediate interventions are required. The heroic efforts of rail staff meant that further harm was avoided and undoubtedly saved lives.

Prior to the incident, this government brought in the Bus Services Act 2025 which mandates training for staff working in the bus industry, including drivers and those who deal directly with the travelling public, on how to recognise and respond to incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour on public transport. This training will require a person to take steps to prevent crime or anti-social behaviour only where it is safe to do so. This will apply to all bus operators including those in Slough and the South East.

BTP are responsible for policing the railway, and they deploy their officers across the network, including in Slough and the South East, based on intelligence led briefings with daily taskings to provide reassurance to the public. They work closely with rail operators that serve those areas to conduct joint operations and have regular engagement with staff and safeguarding and security managers.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of lactose-free medication in the South East.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The patient’s doctor is best placed to understand their requirements and might consider it necessary to prescribe lactose free products, possibly by brand. Alternatively, the doctor might be able to stipulate “lactose free” on the prescription and liaise with local pharmacists to find a suitable product.

The British National Formulary is an evidence-based independent drug formulary used by health professionals as a source of key information on the selection, prescribing, dispensing, and administration of medicines. It advises that the lactose content in most medicines is too small to cause problems in most lactose-intolerant patients. However, in patients with severe lactose intolerance, lactose content should be determined before prescribing, especially if they are taking several products containing lactose.

It is a requirement to state the presence of lactose on the label of a medicine. All ingredients present in a medicine must be declared in the patient information leaflet (PIL). The PIL is provided in the packaging of all medicines. In addition, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the electronic medicines compendium can be used to see the composition of medicines licensed in the United Kingdom, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Chair); Mr Calvin Bailey; Alex Baker;

Found: Members present: Matt Western (The Chair); Lord Boateng; Liam Byrne; Sarah Champion; Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

Found: Members present: Matt Western (The Chair); Lord Boateng; Liam Byrne; Sarah Champion; Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi