Lord Watson of Wyre Forest Portrait

Lord Watson of Wyre Forest

Labour - West Bromwich East

Became Member: 21st November 2022


Horticultural Sector Committee
7th Mar 2023 - 26th Oct 2023
Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
3rd Jul 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
12th Sep 2015 - 6th Nov 2019
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
7th Oct 2016 - 3rd Jul 2017
Party Chair, Labour Party
12th Sep 2015 - 14th Jun 2017
Shadow Minister (Cabinet Office)
14th Sep 2015 - 7th Oct 2016
Deputy Chair, Labour Party
7th Oct 2011 - 4th Jul 2013
Labour Party Deputy Chair; Campaign Co-ordinator
7th Oct 2011 - 4th Jul 2013
Member, Labour Party National Executive Committee
1st Jul 2005 - 6th May 2010
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
25th Jan 2008 - 9th Jun 2009
Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
2nd Jul 2007 - 25th Jan 2008
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Veterans)
5th May 2006 - 6th Sep 2006
Lord Commissioner (HM Treasury) (Whip)
10th May 2005 - 5th May 2006
Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
9th Sep 2004 - 10th May 2005
Home Affairs Committee
7th Jun 2001 - 14th Jul 2003


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Lord Watson of Wyre Forest has voted in 150 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Lord Watson of Wyre Forest Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Lord Benyon (Conservative)
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
(11 debate interactions)
Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Conservative)
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
(8 debate interactions)
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative)
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
(7 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Legislation Debates
Lord Watson of Wyre Forest has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
View all Lord Watson of Wyre Forest's debates

Lords initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Lord Watson of Wyre Forest, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.


Lord Watson of Wyre Forest has not introduced any legislation before Parliament


Latest 42 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
29th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what projects have been undertaken by the 10 Downing Street Data Science Team since its establishment, and in each case what were the objectives and outcomes, and what is the current status, of these projects.

The No10 Data Science Team has a remit to improve the way in which key decisions are informed by data, analysis, and evidence using cutting-edge data science techniques. This enables the Government to use the best available evidence, throughout the policy and decision-making process, to drive long-term systems change and enable staff to collectively solve the most pressing policy challenges. They also use data to track delivery of government priority programs, working closely with Delivery Unit. The Government would not normally comment on the details of policy development and formation nor the process by which collective decisions are made across government.

The team also runs a transformation program including: (1) project rAPId, a free, open source, lightweight data sharing system; (2) the No10 Innovation Fellowships, bringing industry expertise in AI into central government on year-long secondments to improve public services; (3) Evidence House, a program to upskill civil servants in data science, AI and software engineering; and crowdsource technical solutions to complex problems; and (4) creating and managing the new Incubator for Artificial Intelligence, a 30-strong team of AI experts who are working on rapid delivery of AI projects in line with the Prime Minister’s priorities.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
19th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to respond to the letters sent by Lord Watson of Wyre Forest to the Prime Minister on (1) 16 June, and (2) 21 June.

I am informed that the noble Lord has been sent responses from the lead departments, (1) by the Ministry of Defence and (2) by the Department for Business and Trade.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
9th Mar 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the guidance provided to (1) ministers, and (2) special advisers, for their use of (a) WhatsApp, (b) Signal, and (c) Telegram, digital channels.

The Cabinet Office intends to publish guidance on the use of non-corporate communications channels as soon as possible. This will replace the guidance published in 2013.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
9th Mar 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the guidance given to civil servants for (1) providing advice to, and (2) communication with, ministers on (a) WhatsApp, (b) Signal, and (c) Telegram, digital channels.

The Cabinet Office intends to publish guidance on the use of non-corporate communications channels as soon as possible. This will replace the guidance published in 2013.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
1st Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the Trade Remedies Authority’s reviews into Hot Rolled Flat and Coil steel (Category 1 products), and the potential impact of Tata Steel UK's decarbonisation plans on the UK's steel import demand, what steps they are taking to ensure that the UK's trade remedies framework remains responsive and effective in addressing both current and emerging challenges in the steel sector.

As part of reforming the trade remedies framework, legislation was laid in September 2023, which created additional flexibility for Ministers with respect to decisions regarding the steel safeguard. On 9 February 2024 the Trade Remedies Authority initiated a ‘TRQ review’ and a ‘suspension assessment’ of product category 1 of the steel safeguard measure. As their investigations remain ongoing, I cannot comment further nor prejudice their final recommendation.

Lord Johnson of Lainston
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
1st Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to engage with UK producers and importers of steel products, in response to the Trade Remedies Authority's Statement of Intended Final Determination, published 21 February.

Officials within the Department for Business and Trade take a proactive approach when engaging with industry and encourage them to share their views directly with the Trade Remedies Authority. Stakeholders who are formally registered as interested parties to the extension review can submit additional information and evidence to the Trade Remedies Authority.

Lord Johnson of Lainston
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
1st Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact on the UK steel industry and the broader economy if the UK's steel safeguard measures were not extended beyond 30 June.

The Trade Remedies Authority published their preliminary findings on the steel safeguard extension review on the 21 February, which set out that evidence pointed towards a likelihood of recurrence of injury to UK steel producers, should the steel safeguard not be extended.

Their review remains ongoing, and I cannot comment further nor prejudice their final recommendation. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade will make a decision after she is sent a final recommendation.

Lord Offord of Garvel
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
1st Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government when they will respond to the Trade Remedies Authority's interim findings of its review of the UK's steel safeguard measure, published 21 February,  in particular its proposal for extending the safeguard for a further two years; and what steps they are taking to ensure that the UK steel industry remains protected from import surges in line with the Trade Remedies Authority recommendations.

The Trade Remedies Authority has published its preliminary findings of their extension review of the steel safeguard measure. Their review remains ongoing, and the Department for Business and Trade cannot comment further nor prejudice their final recommendation.

Lord Johnson of Lainston
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
1st Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Trade Remedies Authority's interim finding from its review of the UK's steel safeguard measure, published 21 February, that serious injury would recur to UK producers across all 15 categories of steel if the safeguard measure were to be removed; and how this assessment will influence their response to the Trade Remedies Authority's recommendation that the safeguard measure should be extended.

The Trade Remedies Authority has published its preliminary findings of their extension review of the steel safeguard measure. Their review remains ongoing, and the Department for Business and Trade cannot comment further nor prejudice their final recommendation.

Lord Johnson of Lainston
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
20th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish an up-to-date list of trade envoys.

An up-to-date list of the Prime Minister’s Trade can be found on www.gov.uk/government/groups/trade-envoys.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
18th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will place a copy of the conduct guidelines issued to trade envoys in the Library of the House.

I will arrange for a copy of their Terms of Reference to be placed in the library.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
29th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what are their priorities for the (1) development, and (2) application, of artificial intelligence; and how do those priorities align with national strategies for technology and the economy.

The commitments made in the National AI Strategy and in the Science and Technology Framework remain central to DSIT’s approach to AI.

We’re committed to delivering a pro-innovation and pro-safety approach to AI. As per the AI Regulation White Paper and the consultation response, we’ve set out how the Government is strengthening its global AI leadership and supporting regulators to deliver the framework.

We’re also committed to increasing the UK’s capabilities in AI. We’re doing this by investing in skills and talent initiatives, delivering further investment in compute for AI, and prioritising AI adoption by establishing the AI Opportunity Forum.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
7th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, following their consultation outcome A pro-innovation approach to AI regulation: government response, published on 6 February, where they stated that "it is now clear that the working group will not be able to agree an effective voluntary code" between AI developers and rights holders concerning copyright protected materials, what plans they have to ensure that creators' rights are protected.

The Government is engaging with AI and rights holder sectors to develop an approach that allows both sectors to grow together. Any approach will need to be underpinned by trust and transparency between parties, with greater transparency from AI developers about use of copyrighted material to train AI models and the attribution of outputs having an important role to play. The Government will soon set out further proposals on the way forward.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
11th Jan 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the analysis by Liang Chen et. al. ‘Another Year of Record Heat for the Oceans’, published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences on 11 January; and in particular, the claim that it is likely that the oceans are now at their hottest for 1,000 years and heating faster than any time in the last 2,000 years.

The Government has not made an assessment of the specific Cheng et al. (2023) paper. The Government has considered the conclusions of the 2021 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which assessed the latest literature in this area and found that, “The global ocean has warmed faster over the past century than since the end of the last deglacial transition (around 11,000 years ago) (medium confidence).”

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
19th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the eighth annual report of the Press Recognition Panel, and what steps they plan to take in response to the three main recommendations contained therein.

HM Government has no plans to take forward the three main recommendations made in the Press Recognition Panel’s eighth annual report on the recognition system.

The Government committed in its manifesto to the repeal of Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013, which we will do through the Media Bill, and has consistently supported the independent self-regulation of the press.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
4th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government how many school nurses were employed in each local authority in England in each of the three most recent years for which figures are available.

In November 2022, the latest available information, 465 people were employed in state-funded schools in England with a role of ‘nurse’. This is similar to previous years, with 469 in 2021 and 445 in 2020. This information has been provided in Table 1 by local authority and year.

The figures provided are based on staff roles as reported by the school. ‘Nurse’ may not necessarily indicate a qualified specialist community public health nurse. School nurses play a pivotal role in supporting schools to meet this duty, but they will not be the only healthcare professionals available to help schools in supporting their pupils.

Information on the state funded school workforce in England, including the number of support staff employed by schools each November, is published in the annual ‘School Workforce in England’ national statistics release at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
23rd Mar 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what meetings (1) ministers, and (2) senior officials, at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have had with the Unit for Future Skills.

There have been no ministerial level meetings to date, but the Unit for Future Skills (UFS) has met Defra officials at a working level. The UFS also recently joined Government’s Green Jobs Delivery Group and will look to support this group to access data and insights on skills needs across green sectors.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
23rd Mar 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what skills gaps they have identified in the UK horticulture sector.

Whilst no specific assessment has been made of the horticulture sector’s skills gaps; enabling an innovative, productive and competitive food and farming industry which invests in its people and skills to drive growth is a key priority for the Government. Attracting bright new talent that is diverse and inclusive into agricultural and horticultural careers and having a skilled workforce in place is vital for the future of UK food and farming. By raising awareness of agriculture and horticulture as an exciting and attractive career path, people will understand the opportunities available to them in the farming and land management industry.

An Independent Review of Labour Shortages in the Food Supply Chain began in September. The review will focus on farming, processing, and food and drink manufacturing as sectors that are critical for food production and food security. Skills in the food supply chain is a critical area that will be covered in the final report. The final report will be published by summer 2023 and the Government response will follow thereafter.

The Government is contributing towards the establishment of a new professional body for the farming industry; The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH). TIAH is aimed at removing the fragmentation that exists within current learning and skills landscape for farming businesses, enabling the industry to drive greater uptake of skills, creating clear career development pathways and promoting the sector as a progressive, professional and attractive career choice. TIAH has launched a pilot to help develop its services ahead of a general launch to wider membership.

The Government is also reforming post-16 technical education to provide clearer routes into skilled employment in agriculture and other sectors. A key part of this is the introduction of the new Technical Level programmes (T-levels) which include pathways in agriculture, environmental and animal health and care. Alongside apprenticeships this provides more opportunities and pathways for young people looking for careers in agriculture and horticulture.

Alongside training opportunities, TIAH will also provide information about apprenticeships. There are currently 40 high-quality apprenticeship standards available in the agriculture, environmental and animal care sector including Horticulture and landscaping technical manager.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
4th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government how many preventable deaths occurred in each of the three most recent years for which figures are available, as a result of (1) failure to administer an adrenaline auto-injector, and (2) failure of an adrenaline auto-injector.

Data on the number of preventable deaths which have occurred as a result of failure to administer an adrenaline auto-injector and failure of an adrenaline auto-injector are not collected by Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), as the Human Medicines regulations relate to pharmacovigilance of adverse drug reactions and medication errors resulting in adverse drug reactions. Anyone experiencing side effects with medicines is encouraged to report these to MHRA via Yellow Card.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
4th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government how many asthma reviews were conducted in England in each of the five most recent years for which figures are available.

The Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) ensures all general practitioner practices establish and maintain a register of patients with an asthma diagnosis in accordance with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance. Part of this guidance includes the provision of an annual Asthma review. The QOF annual review indicator was introduced in 2020/21 and contains Asthma review data from the past two years. In 2020/21 there were 1,132,926 and in 2021/22 there were 1,964,234. The 2022/23 data is to be published in September.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
4th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what was the annual expenditure on asthma reviews in England for each of the five most recent years for which figures are available.

NHS England does not hold this information.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
4th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government how many people waited for allergy testing for more than 12 weeks in each of the past 10 years.

This information is not collected centrally.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
15th Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the written agreement made with the Rt Hon Suella Braverman QC MP, as mentioned in her resignation letter, was used as the basis for any policy direction in the Home Office; and if so, what the nature of that policy direction was.

I refer the noble peer to the answer of 20 November 2023, Official Report, House of Commons, PQ 1905.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
24th May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what advice they provide to senior police officers for dealing with parliamentary correspondence in a timely manner.

The Home Office does not provide guidance to senior police officers for dealing with parliamentary correspondence. That is a matter for Chief Constables themselves, who are operationally independent and PCCs, who provide the most direct line of accountability for local Police Forces.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
24th May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government when the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police last updated the Home Secretary on the implementation of the recommendations contained within An Independent Review of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Handling of Non-Recent Sexual Offence Investigations Alleged Against Persons of Public Prominence, published on 31 October 2016.

In October 2019, the Home Secretary asked His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to assess the Metropolitan Police Service’s progress in learning lessons and embedding the recommendations from Sir Richard Henriques Independent Review of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Handling of Operation Midland (published in October 2016). HMICFRS published its report in March 2020 and wrote to all Chief Constables to make them aware of their report’s findings and recommendations. In May 2021, at the then Home Secretary’s request, the MPS provided an update on their progress to Sir Richard Henriques – available on Gov.uk Letter from Dame Cressida Dick (MPS) to Sir Richard Henriques (accessible version) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Government continues to work with policing partners, including the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, to ensure police handling and investigation of such sensitive matters is both fair and impartial, while also responding to the needs of victims and survivors. We fund the police Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme, which identifies and shares best practice between forces in engaging with vulnerable people and investigating crimes such as child sexual abuse.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
10th May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to review the circumstances under which documents relating to the murder of Daniel Morgan, which were discovered locked in a cabinet at Scotland Yard, were not provided to the Independent Panel reviewing the conduct of Metropolitan Police inquiries into Mr Morgan’s murder.

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has informed the Home Office of the discovery of information relevant to the work of the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel (DMIP) and the subsequent inspection, commissioned by the former Home Secretary, of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). HMICFRS will review the undisclosed material. The Independent Office for Police Conduct has also been informed.

The MPS has informed the family of Daniel Morgan and Baroness Nuala O’Loan, Chair of the now concluded DMIP, of the discovery, and offered to provide both with access to the material if required.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
10th May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the records management policy of police forces following recent revelations that the Metropolitan Police failed to disclose 95 pages of documents relating to the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel Inquiry.

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has informed the Home Office of the discovery of information relevant to the work of the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel (DMIP) and the subsequent inspection, commissioned by the former Home Secretary, of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). HMICFRS will review the undisclosed material. The Independent Office for Police Conduct has also been informed.

The MPS has informed the family of Daniel Morgan and Baroness Nuala O’Loan, Chair of the now concluded DMIP, of the discovery, and offered to provide both with access to the material if required.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
5th Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by The Earl of Minto on 4 March (HL2591), on what date the Minister for Defence People and Families intends to visit the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston for the personal assessment of the 150 documents held by the Atomic Weapons Establishment concerning blood tests taken from British troops during radiation experiments.

The Minister for Defence People and Families (Dr Andrew Murrison) will visit the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) shortly to personally review the information and consider its release into the public domain. Given the volume of documents to be reviewed it was considered more practical for the Minister to visit AWE.

There are no restrictions on Ministers accessing these records with the Minister for Defence People and Families the most appropriate given his responsibility for veteran’s affairs. The documents had a variety of security classifications and are now declassified.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
5th Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by The Earl of Minto on 4 March (HL2591), why it is not possible for the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston to facilitate the delivery of the 150 nuclear test veteran documents to a secure ministerial office within the Ministry of Defence for review by the Minister for Defence People and Families.

The Minister for Defence People and Families (Dr Andrew Murrison) will visit the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) shortly to personally review the information and consider its release into the public domain. Given the volume of documents to be reviewed it was considered more practical for the Minister to visit AWE.

There are no restrictions on Ministers accessing these records with the Minister for Defence People and Families the most appropriate given his responsibility for veteran’s affairs. The documents had a variety of security classifications and are now declassified.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
5th Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by The Earl of Minto on 4 March (HL2591, HL2592), whether they will list the defence Ministers restricted from accessing the 150 relevant documents held by the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston.

The Minister for Defence People and Families (Dr Andrew Murrison) will visit the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) shortly to personally review the information and consider its release into the public domain. Given the volume of documents to be reviewed it was considered more practical for the Minister to visit AWE.

There are no restrictions on Ministers accessing these records with the Minister for Defence People and Families the most appropriate given his responsibility for veteran’s affairs. The documents had a variety of security classifications and are now declassified.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
5th Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by The Earl of Minto on 4 March (HL2591, HL2592), whether they will list the security classification of the 150 documents.

The Minister for Defence People and Families (Dr Andrew Murrison) will visit the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) shortly to personally review the information and consider its release into the public domain. Given the volume of documents to be reviewed it was considered more practical for the Minister to visit AWE.

There are no restrictions on Ministers accessing these records with the Minister for Defence People and Families the most appropriate given his responsibility for veteran’s affairs. The documents had a variety of security classifications and are now declassified.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
29th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government how many visas have been issued to members of the Afghan Special Police Commando Force under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy.

I refer the noble Lord to the answers given by my right hon. Friend, the Minister for the Armed Forces (James Heappey), to Questions 11984 and 14769 tabled in the House of Commons by the right hon. Member for Wentworth and Dearne and the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
28th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the First-tier Tribunal ruling on the appeal of Jane O’Connor against the Ministry of Defence [2024] UKFTT 00153 (GRC), what plans they have to reassess procedures for access to historical records relating to the health outcomes of nuclear test veterans.

The First-tier Tribunal decision is currently being reviewed. The Tribunal has allowed each respondent 28 calendar days, which is the 25 March 2024, to consider the outcome and decide upon any next steps in terms of an appeal; or whether to accept the decision. It therefore would not be appropriate to comment further on this, or any future handling procedures relating to access to medical records of deceased personnel, until such a decision has been made.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
28th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the findings of the First-tier Tribunal ruling relating to the appeal of Jane O’Connor against the Ministry of Defence [2024] UKFTT 00153 (GRC), regarding the health impacts on veterans exposed to radiation during nuclear tests; and what steps they intend to take in response.

The First-tier Tribunal decision is currently being reviewed. The Tribunal has allowed each respondent 28 calendar days, which is the 25 March 2024, to consider the outcome and decide upon any next steps in terms of an appeal; or whether to accept the decision. It therefore would not be appropriate to comment further on this, or any future handling procedures relating to access to medical records of deceased personnel, until such a decision has been made.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
28th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the findings of the First-tier Tribunal in the appeal of Jane O’Connor against the Ministry of Defence [2024] UKFTT 00153 (GRC), what assessment they have made of the accessibility of the 150 records withheld by AWE Aldermaston; and what plans they have to review of the accessibility of these records.

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Defence People and Families will be visiting the Atomic Weapons Establishment shortly to personally review the information and consider its release into the public domain.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
19th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government on what date they requested access to the 150 documents held by the Atomic Weapons Establishment concerning blood tests taken from British troops during radiation experiments; how many of the files requested were provided; and how many were withheld.

The Minister for Defence People and Families (the Rt Hon Dr Andrrew Murrison) asked officials at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) to review the 150 documents to enable his review of that information shortly before the debate on Nuclear Test Veterans: Medical Records on 28 November 2023.

The Minister will personally assess all 150 documents when he visits AWE shortly and will consider their release into the public domain.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
19th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to inform Parliament of their findings from their review of documents related to blood tests taken from British troops during radiation experiments.

The Minister for Defence People and Families (the Rt Hon Dr Andrrew Murrison) asked officials at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) to review the 150 documents to enable his review of that information shortly before the debate on Nuclear Test Veterans: Medical Records on 28 November 2023.

The Minister will personally assess all 150 documents when he visits AWE shortly and will consider their release into the public domain.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st Sep 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to place in the Library of the House copies of the following files, recently revealed to exist by the Atomic Weapons Establishment: (1) Transcript of proceedings 15 November 1984, (2) Royal Commission (RC)1 RC558, pages 988 to 1284, 13 August 1954, (3) AWRE Aldermaston Health Physics Division report on Tritium, 27 October 1958, (4) Arrangements for Examining Urine of Personnel Exposed to Ingesting or Inhaling Radioactive Material, 5 February 1958, (5) Request for arrangements of examining urine of personnel exposed to the risk of ingesting or inhaling radioactive material, 5 January 1958, (6) Reply to Regarding the Arrangements for Urine Testing of Personnel, between 20 January and 20 February 1958, (7) The Arrangements for Urine Testing of Personnel, 20 February 1958, (8) Radiological Safety of Personnel from the Medical Aspect, 24 February 1958, (9) Dose Record Grapple Z – record of 4 urine samples, 17 January 1958, (10) UKAEA – Weapons Group – Fourth Annual Report on Health and Safety, 2 January 1959, and (11) Preliminary Report to the Technical Director: Summary of Biological Observations at Operation Hurricane, 1 January 1952.

There are no plans to place the information in the Library of the House.

20th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government how many prosecutions have been made under section one of the Computer Misuse Act 1990, for each of the past 13 years.

The Ministry of Justice holds data on prosecutions under Section 1 of the Computer Misuse Act 1990, covering the period requested. This is publicly available and can be viewed via the following link: Criminal Justice System statistics quarterly: December 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Information on the number of individuals prosecuted under Section 1 of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 at all courts can be found in the above tool by navigating to the ‘Prosecutions and convictions’ tab. In the ‘HO Offence code’ filter, select the offence:

  • 05354 - Unauthorised access to computer material

The data requested can be found in the attached table.

Lord Bellamy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
4th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government how many reports to prevent other deaths were issued by coroners in England and Wales in each of the five most recent years for which figures are available.

Since 2022, the annual number of Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) reports issued by coroners in England and Wales has been collated in the Annual Coroner Statistics which are published each May and cover the preceding calendar year. 440 reports were issued in 2021, and 403 were issued in 2022.

The number of PFD reports issued in each year prior to 2021 is not held centrally. However, coroners have a statutory duty to copy all PFD reports to the Chief Coroner, who publishes them on the Judiciary website unless, exceptionally, he decides not to do so in order to protect an individual’s privacy and/or to protect the public from harm. The number of PFD reports published by the Chief Coroner was 384 in 2018; 595 in 2019; and 301 in 2020.

Lord Bellamy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)