Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to Written Statement UIN HCWS1171 on Upgraded Free Trade Agreement with the Republic of Korea: negotiation update, what impact the deal will have on the a) salmon and b) whisky industry.

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

The upgraded FTA secures several provisions to reduce administrative burden and costs for UK businesses.

It streamlines clearance processes for the release of perishable goods like Salmon and ensures Scottish salmon raised from imported seedstock qualify for tariff-free access to the Republic of Korea, commitments welcomed by the Scottish salmon industry.

The FTA also locks in our Geographical Indication protection for Scotch Whisky, preventing the sale of fake Whisky in Republic of Korea. New rules of origin provisions will make it easier to export via distribution hubs without being charged tariffs, a key facilitation welcomed by the industry.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Israeli government’s decision to suspend 37 aid groups on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the statement I made on 5 January.

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 allowing patient records to be used to research the impact of the use of puberty blockers on people throughout their lives.

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

We are committed to supporting the NHS in making research central to new gender services for children and young people.

This includes a retrospective data linkage study to identify associations in former GIDS patients’ experiences and outcomes, through analysis of available digital information within health records and other nationally held databases. This will not, however, establish causation.

The rigorous, randomised controlled PATHWAYS clinical trial which will offer puberty suppression within comprehensive NHS assessment and support will provide robust evidence needed to guide future NHS gender care decisions. Participants will also be asked to consent to long-term follow-up into adult life.

Parliamentary screening of The Removed and historic forced adoptions