Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what information he holds on the potential consequences of reforming the electricity market to decouple the price of electricity from the price of gas through changes to the current marginal pricing system.

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

The Government has assessed the possible impacts of electricity market reform via the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements. Last year, it was confirmed that Great Britain will continue with a single, national wholesale electricity market using marginal pricing. Rather than fundamentally separating electricity prices from gas, the Reformed National Pricing Delivery Plan prioritises targeted reforms to reduce consumer costs while maintaining a secure, affordable and efficient electricity system. Key measures include better siting and investment signals, reduced network constraint costs, and more effective balancing. The Delivery Plan includes an assessment framework and will be underpinned by analysis and evidence.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he is taking steps to increase helium reserves for (a) scientific research, (b) national security, (c) critical infrastructure and (d) other priority uses.

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

Helium is vital for the UK’s economic growth and security, industrial strategy, and clean energy transition. DBT is working across Government mapping supply chains and assessing risks, mitigations, and potential interventions, conducting detailed analysis including on emerging risks.

Through the 2025 UK Critical Minerals Strategy we will build strong partnerships with key markets to diversify production and processing and strengthen our supply chains, alongside working with key existing producers.

At present, in response to the Middle East situation, the Government’s approach is to work collaboratively with industry, the healthcare sector and international partners to improve supply resilience, encourage efficient use, and support the development of alternative technologies and recovery systems, rather than to introduce blanket restrictions.

We encourage any business experiencing disruption to visit business.gov.uk to access support and guidance.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing temporary restrictions on the (a) public sale and (b) commercial use of helium.

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

Helium is vital for the UK’s economic growth and security, industrial strategy, and clean energy transition. DBT is working across Government mapping supply chains and assessing risks, mitigations, and potential interventions, conducting detailed analysis including on emerging risks.

Through the 2025 UK Critical Minerals Strategy we will build strong partnerships with key markets to diversify production and processing and strengthen our supply chains, alongside working with key existing producers.

At present, in response to the Middle East situation, the Government’s approach is to work collaboratively with industry, the healthcare sector and international partners to improve supply resilience, encourage efficient use, and support the development of alternative technologies and recovery systems, rather than to introduce blanket restrictions.

We encourage any business experiencing disruption to visit business.gov.uk to access support and guidance.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps they are taking to increase the amount of UK made steel used in procurement contracts overseen by their Department.

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

This Government is committed to creating the right conditions in the UK for a competitive and sustainable steel industry. The sector provides vital support to the UK’s defence capabilities, including specialist cast and forged steel components for a range of defence programmes. The department publishes its future pipeline for steel requirements, enabling UK steel manufacturers to better plan and bid for upcoming contracts.

The National Security Strategy, Strategic Defence Review, and Defence Industrial Strategy set out how a strong industrial base is critical for maintaining our national security infrastructure. While steel used in our major Defence programmes is generally sourced by our prime contractors from a range of UK and international suppliers, Ministry of Defence (MOD) procurement activity will continue to apply PPN 022, a policy aimed at increasing the use of British-produced steel in public contracts. The MOD also supports the recently published UK Steel Strategy which sets out a long-term plan to revitalise the UK steel sector and restore domestic production to sustainable levels.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department has taken to mitigate the the risk of disruption to global oil trade routes in the last three years.

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

As a member of the International Energy Agency (IEA), the UK holds emergency oil stocks of 90 days of net imports. The UK’s participation in the co-ordinated IEA release of 400 million barrels of oil stocks in response to the Middle-east conflict is a sensible and measured step to support global oil market stability.

The Secretary of State is in regular and close contact with key international partners, to ensure a coordinated international response and functioning markets

The Government is driving further and faster for clean homegrown power that we control to protect the British people and bring down bills for good.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure all police forces are operating in compliance with the Statutory Guidance on firearms licensing for Chief Officers of Police.

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

Firearms licensing is an operational matter for chief officers of police, who are required to have regard to the Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing in exercising their licensing responsibilities. The Home Office works closely with the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for firearms licensing to support consistent application of the law and accompanying Statutory Guidance across forces.

In addition, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services are now undertaking a thematic inspection of police forces’ arrangements in respect of firearms licensing, providing independent scrutiny and identifying areas for improvement.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the progress of remediation works on properties approved for the Cladding Safety Scheme in Slough.

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

Buildings in the CSS in Slough are making progress on their remediation, and in cases outside of the timeframe expected by CSS, action has been taken to bring progress back on track.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 27 October 2025 to Question 82712 on Firearms Licensing, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of not implementing the recommendation of the Law Commission on codifying existing firearms legislation.

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

The Government has no plans to take forward the recommendation made by the Law Commission in 2015 to codify existing firearms legislation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to update domestic electrical safety guidance and regulations on plug-in solar.

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

Part P of the Building Regulations 2010 and Approved Document P make clear that electrical installations in dwellings should be designed and installed in such a way to protect people from electric shock and fire hazards. The Building Safety Act 2022 requires the Building Safety Regulator to keep the safety and standard of buildings under review. As new evidence emerges, updating of Building Regulations or statutory guidance in Approved Documents can then be considered; this includes the electrical safety requirements in Part P of the Building Regulations. Approved Document P refers to the electrical installation standards in BS7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations as the way of showing compliance with Part P requirements. Building owners remain responsible for managing building safety and performance risks of all kinds in a proportionate, risk-based and evidence backed manner.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential risk of interference by the US in UK elections.

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

The UK Government takes attempts by any country to intervene in democratic processes very seriously. It is, and always will be, an absolute priority to protect our democratic and electoral processes. The Government has renewed the mandate of the Defending Democracy Taskforce (DDTF), which brings together Government Ministers, representatives from law enforcement and the intelligence community, to coordinate work to protect our democratic institutions and processes from threats, including foreign interference.

In April 2023, DDTF created the Joint Election Security and Preparedness (JESP) Unit, which sits jointly between Cabinet Office and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, as a permanent function dedicated to protecting UK elections and referendums and coordinating work across government to respond to issues of protective security, cyber threats and mis and disinformation, including foreign interference.

In December 2025, the Secretary of State commissioned former permanent secretary Philip Rycroft to lead an independent review into foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics. The review was published on 25 March 2026 and can be found here.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with HM Treasury on the potential impact of the introduction of an overnight visitor levy on (a) the levels of domestic tourism and (b) small and medium enterprises in the tourism industry.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

I am working closely with HM Treasury and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in relation to the potential impact of the introduction of a visitor levy and was pleased to join the Exchequer Secretary, Daniel Tomlinson, for a roundtable with industry leaders on this in March. My officials are also working closely with colleagues across government on this matter and have engaged with the tourism sector throughout the consultation process, including at a series of sector roundtables.

The power to introduce a visitor levy will be given to local leaders who best understand their region, allowing them to tailor investment towards growing the local economy, bearing in mind its needs, including those of the tourism industry. Mayors will need to decide whether to implement a levy and, if so, they will need to consult on specific proposals. I’m sure Mayors will engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns throughout the consultation period and beyond.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to secure adequate supplies of hydrocarbon based fuels for vehicles, ships and aircraft; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of fuel reserves in the UK.

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

The UK benefits from a diverse and resilient fuel supply chain and remains well supplied across all hydrocarbon fuels for transport, including road, maritime, and aviation sectors. The Government is working closely with industry to monitor supply, demand, and market conditions.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many reports of untaxed vehicles being parked on public roads in (a) Langley and (b) Slough were received by the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency in each of the last three years; and what proportion of those reports were followed up on.

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

The information requested is not readily available. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency officials will write to the honourable member when the information requested has been extracted and assured.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of roles are primarily land based for a) the whole Royal Navy and b) the Catering Services branch of the Royal Navy.

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

It has not been possible to provide the answer within the timeframe given, I will write to the hon. Member as soon as practical and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has assessed the potential merits of introducing lifetime driving bans for individuals who have received multiple disqualifications from driving as a result of dangerous driving convictions.

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

Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for our independent courts.

This includes whether to disqualify an offender from driving and, where appropriate, the length of any disqualification.

The courts already have powers to impose lifetime disqualification where that is justified.

Separately, under the “totting up” provisions, where a driver has accumulated 12 or more penalty points within a three-year period, the court must ordinarily order disqualification for at least the statutory minimum unless there are grounds to reduce or avoid that disqualification.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has plans to introduce consistent product standards for domestic plug-in solar systems.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Suppliers of all products placed on the UK market, including domestic plug-in solar systems, must ensure they comply with relevant product safety legislative requirements. This includes specific product regulations such as the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 and the broader General Product Safety Regulations, on which we have recently launched a consultation on proposed reforms. These reforms seek to develop a product safety framework that reflects the modern world, giving consumers confidence in the products they buy and use and giving businesses the certainty they need to grow and innovate.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps they are taking to increase the amount of UK made steel used in procurement contracts overseen by their Department.

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

All steel procurements overseen by the Department are done so in full alignment and following the principles as set out in the Steel PPN 022. In addition to existing best practice policies, from the 1 September 2025 this required the Department to:

• Consult UK Steel’s Digital Catalogue prior to design and procurement decisions being made. Include a contract clause which extends this obligation to Tier 1 contractors and their subcontractors (where relevant).
• Consider if the national security exemption in paragraph 25 of Schedule 2 to the Procurement Act 2023 is relevant to the procurement and apply as appropriate.

These additional policy measures are designed to increase the amount of UK Steel used in procurement contracts.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether excess domestic energy derived from plug in solar will be able to be exported to the grid.

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

We expect most households to be able to consume the majority of electricity generated themselves.

However, any excess electricity generated from plug-in solar panels would be automatically exported to the grid.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of jurors completed jury service lasting (a) one week or less from their first day of service, (b) more than one week but not more than two weeks, (c) more than two weeks but not more than three weeks, (d) more than three weeks but not more than four weeks, (e) more than four weeks but not more than five weeks, (f) more than five weeks but not more than six weeks, and (g) more than six weeks in the last two years.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

When jurors are summoned, they are advised that Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days, although some trials may extend beyond this period and jurors will be advised of this in advance. Jurors may also sit on more than one case during their service.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many times (a) hearings and (b) trials have delayed as a result of the the Witness Care Unit not informing witnesses of the trial date in each of the last three years.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The specific information requested regarding delays to hearings and trials is not held. However, data on trials that have been ineffective or vacated is published in the Criminal Courts Accredited Official Statistics. The latest available data including reasons for trial outcomes can be found in the ‘Trial Effectiveness at the Criminal Courts tool’ here: Criminal court statistics quarterly: October to December 2025 - GOV.UK.

Police Witness Care Units (WCUs) are integral to the criminal justice system which is reflected in their statutory obligations under the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (the Victims’ Code). The Victims’ Code is clear that WCUs must inform victims of the time, date and location of any hearing. Right 8.1 sets out that WCUs must do this within 1 working day of them receiving the information from the court.

The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 created a framework to monitor criminal justice agencies' compliance with the Victims' Code, including legislative duties for agencies to collect and share information on Code compliance. Alongside this, we are exploring digital and data improvements to strengthen data sharing cross the criminal justice system in order to streamline and improve victim experience.

This Government is committed to ensuring victims and witnesses have the information and support they need to navigate court proceedings. That is why we are consulting on a new Victims’ Code to ensure we get the foundations right for victims.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, over the period since its first commissioning, what proportion of days HMS Prince of Wales has been at sea.

Answered by Al Carns

We do not comment on the detailed readiness or availability of individual units for operational security reasons.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many major contracts which have been signed by his department since July 2024 were a) sustainment or refresh contracts or b) new procurement contracts.

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

The Department can confirm that, since July 2024, the department has signed a total of 1,398 major contracts. Ministry of Defence (MOD) contract records do not distinguish between sustainment or refresh (i.e. follow-on) contracts. Consequently, we can only provide the number of new contracts initiated since 5 July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to negotiate an administrative agreement with the European Defence Agency.

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

The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union in May 2025 is an example of this Government delivering on its manifesto commitments to strengthen European security, support growth, and reinforce NATO.

We will continue to prioritise engagement and cooperation on the issues that are most important in helping to safeguard European security and prosperity – all in support of this government’s NATO First defence policy as set out in the Security and Defence Review.

The Security and Defence Partnership outlines the possibility for establishing an Administrative Arrangement between the UK and the European Defence Agency. Officials remain in discussions with the EU to explore this.

Any potential future UK commitment – financial or otherwise – will ensure value for taxpayers and support wider defence priorities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department has taken to help ensure the protection of UK citizens who visit holy sites in Jerusalem.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 20 April in response to Question 124464.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the maternal mortality rate was in England in each of the last ten years.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Rt. Hon. Gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th April is attached.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many contracts his Department has entered into in each of the last five years.

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

This information can be found at MOD trade, industry and contracts: 2025 - GOV.UK.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has an agreed target spend with SMEs.

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

The Ministry of Defence has set an ambitious target to increase direct and indirect spending by 50% compared to FY 23/24 baseline. This increase in total spend would equate to £2.5 billion total spend increase with Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to £7.5 billion by May 2028.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps they are taking to increase the amount of UK made steel used in procurement contracts overseen by their Department.

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

The Government Commercial Function (GCF), based in the Cabinet Office, published its strategy document for 2026 to 2029 on 7 April 2026, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introducing-the-government-commercial-function-gcf-strategy-2026-29/introducing-the-government-commercial-function-gcf-strategy-2026-29-html#pillar-one---people-a-capable-inspired-workforce-whose-talent-is-nurtured

Driving economic growth is a key pillar of this strategy, in line with Government policy, capitalising on the industrial strategy targets to create jobs in the United Kingdom, and a key part of the strategy is market shaping and making use of the collective buying power of the Government to drive UK economic growth and resilience.

One of the first steps will be for the GCF to work with the commercial directors across the Government in four pilot sectors, namely shipbuilding, steel, artificial intelligence, and energy infrastructure, to identify key data requirements, and to pilot underpinning market shaping assessments for each. The Cabinet Office will be publishing a Procurement Policy Notice specifically on UK steel transparency later this year.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, in each of the last 3 years, how many instances of delayed hearings and trials have been caused by the CPS giving insufficient time for the defence to consider evidence shared as part of disclosure.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The specific information requested is not held. However, data on trials that have been ineffective due to the prosecution failing to disclose unused evidence is published quarterly in the Criminal Courts Accredited Official Statistics. The latest available data can be found in the ‘Trial Effectiveness at the Criminal Courts tool’ here: Criminal court statistics quarterly: October to December 2025 - GOV.UK.

The Government is carefully considering the recommendations on the disclosure regime made by Sir Brian Leveson as part of the Independent Review of Criminal Courts, and by Jonathan Fisher KC in his Independent Review of Disclosure Offences.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he has taken to reduce diagnosis times for patients with motor neurone disease.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England commissions the specialised elements of motor neurone disease (MND) care that patients may receive from 27 specialised neurology centres across England. Within these specialised centres, neurological multidisciplinary teams ensure that patients can access a range of health professionals and specialised treatment and support, according to their needs.  In August 2025, NHS England updated its service specification for specialised adult neurology services. It outlines a number of minimum service requirements for key specialties, including neuromuscular disorders like MND.

At the national level, there are a number of initiatives supporting service improvement and better care for patients with MND, including the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Programme for Neurology and the RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit.  The GIRFT Programme has produced a Further Faster handbook for neurology, which provides resources and best practice guidance to help support clinical teams go faster and further in reducing neurology waiting times, including for patients with MND.

Neurology waiting times are coming down. Between December 2024 and December 2025, the average waiting time for neurology services was reduced from 16.2 to 15.2 weeks. Additionally, 57% of patients referred were seen within 18 weeks, up from 54.2% at the same point last year. We are continuing efforts to improve this, recognising this is a challenged specialty.

Baroness Casey has set out that the Government must take immediate action on MND. Where someone has a severe, reasonably predictable, and life-limiting condition, it is essential that we provide rapid access to the support they need, and we will take forward immediate work to develop a fast-track process, or “passport”, that speeds up assessments and access to care for people diagnosed with MND. We will consider how best to safely implement a process that expedites assessments and gets people with MND the care and support they need more quickly.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Animal research and testing non-technical summaries granted in 2025, October to December, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the number experiments on (a) beagles (b) non-human primates and (c) rabbits on progress towards the Government’s pledge to phase out animal testing.

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

There is no impact from the number of experiments on (a) beagles (b) non-human primates and (c) rabbits on progress towards the Government’s alternatives strategy. This is because licences for the use of animals in scientific procedures may only be granted only where there is robust scientific justification, no validated nonanimal alternative exists, and use is fully compliant with the requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

This Government remains firmly committed to working towards the phasing out of animals in science. The strategy, ‘Replacing animals in science’, sets specific targets to reduce the use of dogs and non-human primates by 2030, while ensuring the UK continues to support safe and effective scientific and medical research.

The strategy is clear that while the longterm vision is to replace the use of animals in science wherever possible, some animal use remains necessary at present to develop and test new medicines, advance understanding of biology and disease, and to protect human and animal health and the environment. These activities are integral to the UK’s national health preparedness and resilience, including the ability to respond to emerging health threats. Progress towards the phasing out of animal use must therefore be scienceled and supported by reliable alternative methods.

Accordingly, the Home Office licensing regime is compatible with the strategy; it enables only tightly controlled animal use where it is scientifically justified and no suitable alternative exists.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps they are taking to increase the amount of UK made steel used in procurement contracts overseen by their Department.

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

The Government wants to ensure that public procurement plays its full role in delivering the Industrial Strategy and fostering a resilient economy that supports British businesses and creates good jobs in communities across the country. UK-produced steel has a significant role to play in construction and infrastructure projects.

In June 2025 it published Procurement Policy Note 022 “Procuring Steel in Government Contracts”, which among other things requires departments and prime contractors to consult UK Steel’s Steel Catalogue.

In March 2026 Government published the Steel Strategy, and announced changes to protect the industries that matter most to our national security, including steel.

Departments will have to confirm for the first time whether prime contractors are using UK steel, or explain why not.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had any discussions with Cabinet colleagues on transferring responsibility for animal testing and research to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

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

Ministers of State in the Home Office and DSIT have actively engaged on transferring responsibility for animal testing and research to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Agreement has been reached that the portfolio under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act will remain in the Home Office for the foreseeable future.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps to increase reserves of helium within the NHS.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed

The Department is closely monitoring the impacts of the Middle East conflict on the medical supply chain, including on the supply of helium. We have engaged with industry and received assurance on the stability of continued helium supply through contingency planning and sourcing through multiple global routes. We will continue to monitor the supply of helium and other medical products to mitigate any potential impacts on patient care.

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 improve access to specialist care and support for people living with motor neurone disease in Slough.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England commissions the specialised elements of motor neurone disease (MND) care that patients may receive from 27 specialised neurology centres across England. Within these specialised centres, neurological multidisciplinary teams ensure that patients can access a range of health professionals and specialised treatment and support, according to their needs.  In August 2025, NHS England updated its service specification for specialised adult neurology services. It outlines a number of minimum service requirements for key specialties, including neuromuscular disorders like MND.

At the national level, there are a number of initiatives supporting service improvement and better care for patients with MND, including the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Programme for Neurology and the RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit.  The GIRFT Programme has produced a Further Faster handbook for neurology, which provides resources and best practice guidance to help support clinical teams go faster and further in reducing neurology waiting times, including for patients with MND.

Neurology waiting times are coming down. Between December 2024 and December 2025, the average waiting time for neurology services was reduced from 16.2 to 15.2 weeks. Additionally, 57% of patients referred were seen within 18 weeks, up from 54.2% at the same point last year. We are continuing efforts to improve this, recognising this is a challenged specialty.

Baroness Casey has set out that the Government must take immediate action on MND. Where someone has a severe, reasonably predictable, and life-limiting condition, it is essential that we provide rapid access to the support they need, and we will take forward immediate work to develop a fast-track process, or “passport”, that speeds up assessments and access to care for people diagnosed with MND. We will consider how best to safely implement a process that expedites assessments and gets people with MND the care and support they need more quickly.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which officials in her Department have the authority to (a) override vetting decisions of appointments made within her Department and (b) provide access to secret or top secret information to people that have not obtained the required clearances through vetting, and where do they derive their authority to make these decisions.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 20 April and his answers to the questions raised in response.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in each of the last 10 years, how many members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary have died while a) undertaking training or b) while on active service.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

One member of the Royal Fleet Auxillary is recorded as dying on duty by accident or injury in the past 10 years; this occurred in 2019.

All on duty deaths are investigated by the appropriate body such as the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch, Defence Accident Investigation Branch, or civilian police where necessary.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps they are taking to increase the amount of UK made steel used in procurement contracts overseen by their Department.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The department strongly supports the UK’s Industrial Strategy, fostering a resilient economy that supports British businesses and creates good jobs in communities across the country. UK-produced steel has a significant role to play in construction and education projects. Our procurements are undertaken in accordance with Procurement Policy Note 022 “Procuring Steel in Government contracts”.

From this financial year, contractors on the department’s construction frameworks will be required to report whether they have consulted the UK Steel’s Steel Catalogue. Contractors will need to confirm whether they are using UK steel and if not, explain why not.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will set out if a Civil Service Pension Scheme recipient is liable for the repayment of overpayments, including where the the recipient has queried the payment with the scheme administrator, and is repeatedly advised by the scheme administrator that the level of the payment is correct.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The government has a duty to recover overpaid public money to ensure the scheme remains fair and sustainable for all taxpayers. The scheme follows the HM Treasury guidance on “Managing Public Money” which requires the scheme, where possible, to recover any money that a member is not entitled to.

The Civil Service Pension Scheme pays out 732,000 pensions per month. Any potential recovery is carefully considered, including the cost effectiveness of doing so (e.g. the relative costs of recovering very small amounts). Members have the opportunity to submit evidence should they believe that either recovery should not take place or where they might require a longer repayment plan.

We recognise that being asked to repay funds can be stressful. To manage the impact on retired civil servants, the scheme administrator works individually with those affected to create manageable recovery plans. These plans focus on the member's specific ability to pay, often spreading repayments over a long period to ensure that no undue financial hardship is caused.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has considered lessons learned during the Covid-19 pandemic on (a) preparedness, (b) risk mitigation and (c) public communication in the context of its response to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Secretary of State for Defence

The lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic and other events, such as the preparations for Brexit, have played a significant role in the way in which the UK prepares for and responds to crises. The influence of these events can be seen in the revisions to guidance, such as the Amber Book, which provides a framework for how the UK central government collectively responds to crises. The Resilience Action Plan, published in July 2025 following a review into the UK government's resilience, sets out the steps we are taking to make the UK more resilient to a wide range of risks, including international events.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of funding available for research into ovarian cancer in order to improve (a) detection and (b) treatment.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed

The Department invests in research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Cancer is a major area of NIHR spending at £141.6 million in 2024/25, reflecting its high priority. This includes research into ovarian cancer specifically, for example the £1.9 million PICCOS trial, which is testing whether Pressurised IntraPeritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy is better at managing cancer spread to the lining of the abdominal cavity than standard chemotherapy in several forms of cancer, including ovarian. In addition, NIHR funded research has demonstrated that the IOTA ADNEX ultrasound model can identify nine out of every 10 ovarian cancers and could offer a much more reliable method for finding ovarian cancer early in women who have not yet reached menopause.

As well as funding research itself, the Department invests significantly in research expertise and capacity, specialist facilities, support services, and collaborations to support and deliver research in England, known as NIHR infrastructure. NIHR infrastructure underpins research.

It is not the usual process of the NIHR to allocate funds for research into specific conditions. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including ovarian cancer. Our approach to funding research is through open and fair competition and peer review to ensure that the highest-quality proposals, most likely to deliver real impact for patients, are funded without imposing financial targets or limits.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress has been made on negotiations for a Framework Participation Agreement with the EU.

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

We do not give a running commentary on the scope of discussions with the EU, or their progress, but we have made clear that the UK will continue to engage the EU where cooperation aligns with our shared interests, including in relation to security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer on 26 March 2026 to Question 121801 on Armed Forces Re-employment, what progress has been made in making the requested information available and placing a copy in the Library.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The information the hon. Member has requested will be placed in the Library of the House in the next few days.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment has been made of the availability of mental health support to parents affected by baby loss in Slough.

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

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his letter to the Defence Committee of 31 January 2025, whether Defence Officials have published an official summary of the Defence Planning Assumptions.

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

The Defence Planning Assumptions (DPAs) have not yet been published as a stand alone document as the Strategic Defence Review took precedence, and therefore there is currently no high-level OFFICIAL summary. The DPAs will be formally issued after the Defence Investment Plan is published and will be shared with the Defence Committee, alongside a high-level OFFICIAL summary for public release.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for Warrington North, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, with reference to the Answer on 9 March 2026 to Question 117392 on the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority and Members Staff, a) if IPSA has assessed whether the level of pay for hon. Members' staff is a contributing factor to the 20.8% turnover rate, and b) in what proportion of exit surveys sent by ISPA to all departing hon. Members staff is pay stated as a factor in their exit.

Answered by Charlotte Nichols

MPs are the employers of their staff, not IPSA. Although IPSA provides an exit survey template for MPs to use when staff leave their employment, any information collected as to the reason for an employee's departure remains with the MP and is not shared with IPSA.

While IPSA does not have access to such formal exit information, anecdotal feedback, including from our own consultations, suggests that pay may be one factor in staff departures. Other commonly cited reasons include workload, the challenging nature of casework, limited training and progression opportunities, poor employment practices, job insecurity, and the use of these roles as a route into political careers.

The 20.8% turnover rate referenced in the question includes MPs' staff who move between MPs’ offices.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for Warrington North, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, with reference to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 117392 on Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority and Members Staff, what methodology was used to identify comparable roles; and whether any IPSA roles excluded from the comparison would have lowered the median.

Answered by Charlotte Nichols

In its answer to Question 117392, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority sought to identify roles that were broadly comparable with those found in MPs’ offices, whilst noting that due to the nature of the work that IPSA carries out, there are no roles that are directly comparable. Through a comparison of duties and responsibilities, the nearest comparable roles amongst IPSA's people were deemed to be MP Services Managers and Account Managers, Payroll Support Officers and Managers, Communications Officers, and the Chief of Staff. The median annual salary would not be lowered by including all IPSA roles in the comparison.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will raise the issue of the safety of UK military vessels transiting to and from Gibraltar, and to seek reassurances that Royal Navy vessels will not be impeded or put at risk by Spanish authorities.

Answered by Al Carns

The UK expects all states to act in accordance with international law, including respecting freedom of navigation and the United Kingdom’s sovereignty over British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. Royal Navy vessels continue to operate from Gibraltar in support of UK interests and in accordance with international law.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of including Members of Parliament as persons to be notified under the the Tell Us Once service.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Tell Us Once is a cross government voluntary death notification service, available in all local authorities within England, Scotland & Wales. The service allows recently bereaved citizens, at a very stressful time in their lives, to inform participating government departments of a registered death. The choice of who is informed of the event of death is also dictated by citizen choice, thus providing the best possible experience with fairness, respect, compassion and dignity. Participating organisations request to join the TUO service voluntarily. Consideration is then undertaken collaboratively to ensure that the public sector organisation gains value to both them and the citizen, assessed on a case-by-case basis. TUO does not provide information to individuals.

Found: WRP0019 - Written Parliamentary Questions Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Written Evidence

Found: vascular sector in a future NHS Chris Vince: Educational opportunities for young carers Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

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

Found: Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom; Lord Boateng; Dame Karen Bradley; Liam Byrne; Sarah Champion; Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

Found: Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom; Lord Boateng; Dame Karen Bradley; Liam Byrne; Sarah Champion; Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

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

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

Found: Current membership Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour; Slough) (Chair) Mr Calvin Bailey (Labour; Leyton

Found: Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom; Lord Boateng; Dame Karen Bradley; Liam Byrne; Sarah Champion; Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

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

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

Found: present: Matt Western (The Chair); Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom; Liam Byrne; Sarah Champion; Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

Found: present: Matt Western (The Chair); Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom; Liam Byrne; Sarah Champion; Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

Found: conversation the SDR recommended.41 The chair of the House of Commons Defence Committee, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

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No description available