Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential strategic risk of UK reliance on foreign technologies for critical defence systems.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK recognises the importance of ensuring resilience and choice across our most critical of military capabilities. This reflects the approach to long term national security set out in the Strategic Defence Review: ensuring we are integrated into NATO force structures by design, but capable of acting as an integrated sovereign force when needed.
The UK continues to invest in sovereign capabilities where they are operationally essential. For example, we are renewing our secure, sovereign satellite communications capability through the SKYNET 6 programme. The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) will also deliver a sixth-generation combat air capability in partnership with Italy and Japan.
The forthcoming Defence Investment Plan will set out how the UK will deliver the ambition of the Strategic Defence Review, including where targeted investments are required to strengthen strategic autonomy. This includes consideration of enabling capabilities such as munitions stockpiles, cyber resilience, space assets, and critical industrial capacity.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure the UK develops sovereign capability in defence systems.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK recognises the importance of ensuring resilience and choice across our most critical of military capabilities. This reflects the approach to long term national security set out in the Strategic Defence Review: ensuring we are integrated into NATO force structures by design, but capable of acting as an integrated sovereign force when needed.
The UK continues to invest in sovereign capabilities where they are operationally essential. For example, we are renewing our secure, sovereign satellite communications capability through the SKYNET 6 programme. The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) will also deliver a sixth-generation combat air capability in partnership with Italy and Japan.
The forthcoming Defence Investment Plan will set out how the UK will deliver the ambition of the Strategic Defence Review, including where targeted investments are required to strengthen strategic autonomy. This includes consideration of enabling capabilities such as munitions stockpiles, cyber resilience, space assets, and critical industrial capacity.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of recent Israeli legislation introducing the death penalty.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK opposes capital punishment in all circumstances, and we have raised our concerns directly with the Israeli Government about the recently-passed Death Penalty Bill.
In a joint statement with Australia, France, Germany, Italy and New Zealand on 29 March, we highlighted the discriminatory character of the bill, and urged the Government of Israel to abandon it.
And on 30 March, the Foreign Secretary raised the bill in a call with Foreign Minister Sa’ar, and highlighted Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference his Department's press release entitled Development of battle-winning hypersonic technology accelerated under new AUKUS deal, published on 18 November 2024, what progress he has made since in developing a hypersonic vehicle that can be used in a range of activities.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence's Hypersonics programme intends to deliver a weapon demonstrator by 2030. Under the current Strategic Outline Case approval, the current phase is planned to report in early 2027, which will inform future choices.
The UK spent more than £400 million in the last financial year on hypersonic and long-range weapons, including joint projects with France, Germany, and Italy. On Hypersonics, this includes funding for developing technologies, testing, and academic skills and training.
Notably, the £12 million contract for an Industry Mission Partner, let in December 2025, will speed up the programme by delivering engineering expertise to develop the design for the hypersonic Flight Test Vehicle. This will be demonstrated through flight testing before being adapted into prototype missiles able to operate at extreme speeds and temperatures required for hypersonic flight.
In early 2025, UK scientists completed a major hypersonic propulsion test, enabled by close collaboration between UK Government, industry and US government. The propulsion system is set to power a cutting-edge hypersonic cruise missile concept. In all, 233 test runs were completed at a number of hypersonic speeds, marking a critical step forward in UK Defence capabilities.
Asked by: Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what volume of ferrous scrap was imported into the UK in each of the last three calendar years, broken down by country of origin and by grade or category of scrap.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The data on imports of ferrous scrap is given in table 1. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of data on imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC releases this information monthly, as an Accredited National Statistic called the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics (OTS), which is available via their dedicated website (www.uktradeinfo.com ). | |||
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Table 1: UK import volumes (kg) of Ferrous Scrap |
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Country | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
Not Declared | 100,666,973 | 119,323,136 | 110,711,763 |
Ireland | 58,409,303 | 62,163,906 | 54,568,750 |
Belgium | 10,620,084 | 11,853,794 | 385,988 |
Germany | 6,447,914 | 11,121,900 | 392,921 |
Netherlands | 3,600,562 | 5,603,047 | 1,460,658 |
UK | 1,783,716 | 4,873,692 | 705,830 |
United States | 451 | 137,270 | 2,211,158 |
France | 128,252 | 375,242 | 107,888 |
Canada | 2,880 |
| 372,743 |
Costa Rica | 106,506 |
| 25,000 |
Iceland | 110,610 | 9,610 | 6,490 |
Panama | 44,000 | 40,000 | 20,000 |
Spain |
| 2,003 | 99,660 |
Italy | 12,133 | 41,211 | 41,752 |
Malta | 24,100 | 41,760 |
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Norway |
| 51,060 |
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Czechia | 14,272 | 11,114 | 25,097 |
Israel |
| 48,830 |
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Lithuania |
|
| 48,711 |
Estonia |
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| 29,241 |
Latvia |
| 24,000 |
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Congo (Dem. Rep) | 15,000 |
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Switzerland | 7,120 | 5,530 | 331 |
China | 158 | 2,041 | 4,380 |
Slovakia |
| 52 | 2,971 |
Sweden |
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| 2,674 |
Falkland Islands | 2,540 |
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India | 869 | 582 | 209 |
Jamaica |
|
| 637 |
Oman | 228 |
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Comoros |
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| 180 |
Singapore |
| 54 |
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Somalia |
|
| 15 |
Taiwan | 3 |
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Hungary | 1 |
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Grand Total | 181,997,675 | 215,729,834 | 171,225,047 |
Source: HMRC Overseas Trade Statistics / UK TradeInfo.com | |||
Notes |
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• Data for 2023-2025 are for calendar years | |||
• HS8 72044110, 72044191, 72043000, 72044199, 72044910, 72044930, 72044990, 72045000 | |||
• Import trade is on a country of origin basis | |||
• 2025 is an open year and is therefore provisional and is subject to change | |||
• Country of origin is not required on trade declared through the Intrastat system | |||
Asked by: Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what volume of iron ore imports into the UK there was in each of the last three calendar years, broken down by (1) fines, (2) pellets, (3) lump ore and (4) other iron-bearing feedstocks, and by country of origin.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The data on imports of ferrous scrap is given in table 1.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of data on imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC releases this information monthly, as an Accredited National Statistic called the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics (OTS), which is available via their dedicated website (www.uktradeinfo.com ).
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Table 1: UK import volumes (kg) of Iron ore per year, from 2023 to 2025 | |||
Country | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
Sweden | 944,860,000 | 650,899,243 | 909,881,920 |
Brazil | 1,293,175,122 | 524,445,534 | 598,107,272 |
Canada | 1,290,465,000 | 496,900,000 | 565,870,677 |
Norway | 1,187,212,714 | 368,949,807 | 27,807,184 |
United States | 596,604,115 | 492,035,282 | 215,978,363 |
South Africa | 745,243,000 | 16,017,200 | 188,157,000 |
Mauritania | 315,269,000 | 248,684,000 | 356,403,000 |
Liberia | 379,172,000 | 243,407,200 |
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India | 127,150,000 | 71,500,000 |
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Vatican City | 158,257,000 |
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Egypt | 92,702,000 | 46,135,000 |
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Uruguay | 47,868,000 | 82,184,000 |
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Libya | 49,597,000 | 47,248,000 |
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Netherlands | 329,102 | 78,165,633 | 278,805 |
Trinidad:Tobago |
| 43,061,000 |
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Australia | 35,718,811 |
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Turkey | 117,089 | 258,720 | 282,240 |
France | 27,193 |
| 1,920 |
Germany | 23,086 |
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Spain |
| 3,018 | 6,178 |
UK | 2,397 | 3,560 | 1,550 |
Chile | 450 |
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Sierra Leone |
|
| 233 |
Ukraine |
| 203 |
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Italy |
|
| 95 |
Ireland | 14 |
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China |
| 2 |
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Grand Total | 7,263,793,093 | 3,409,897,402 | 2,862,776,437 |
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| Source: HMRC Overseas Trade Statistics / UK TradeInfo.com |
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Notes |
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• Data for 2023-2025 are for calendar years |
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• HS8 26011100, 260112000, 26012000 |
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• Import trade is on a country of origin basis |
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• 2025 is an open year and is therefore provisional and is subject to change | |||
• Country of origin is not required on trade declared through the Intrastat system | |||
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many UK students have studied abroad under the Turing scheme by country in the most recent year for which figures are available; and at what cost.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The 2023/24 academic year is the most recent year for which data is published on placements completed using Turing Scheme funding and the associated costs. In 2023/2024, 32,714 UK students took part in international placements through the Turing Scheme, travelling to 153 countries. The most popular destinations were Spain (4,728), France (3,178), Italy (1,841), the United States (2,468), Australia (1,002) and Japan (750).
Across all sectors, the scheme spent £82.8 million of funding in that year on placements for students in higher education, further education and vocational training, and schools. The department does not hold information on the cost of placements by individual destination country.
A full breakdown of destinations and funding is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/turing-scheme-funding-outcomes-2023-to-2024.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his Polish counterpart on joining the Global Combat Air Programme.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Secretary of State has regular discussions with his international counterparts on a range of issues.
We have always maintained that we remain open to others joining GCAP, however, the UK and GCAP partners, Italy and Japan, are focused on delivering this vital military capability at pace.
Asked by: Ian Lavery (Labour - Blyth and Ashington)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of NHS medicines and medical devices depend on overseas supply chains, and what action is being taken to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Given the complexity and global nature of medical supply chains, the Department does not collect definitive data on the proportions of products dependent on overseas supply chains.
Many products rely on components sourced from overseas. For example many active pharmaceutical ingredients, the biologically active components that produce the intended therapeutic effect in medicines, have a license for manufacturing in India, Germany, China, Italy and the United States of America, and many of our finished medicine products have a license for manufacturing in India, and Germany, as per Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency licensing data in 2022.
The Government is taking forward a package of measures to strengthen domestic life sciences manufacturing capacity and reduce reliance on overseas supply chains. This includes committing up to £520 million through the Life Sciences Innovation Manufacturing Fund to support capital investment in United Kingdom based manufacturing of human medicines, medical diagnostics, and medical technologies. Alongside this, the Life Sciences Transformational Research and Development Investment Fund supports large‑scale, innovative research and development projects that create new or expanded research and development capabilities and strengthen the UK’s research base.
This sits alongside the Life Sciences Sector Plan, a ten‑year mission led jointly by the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, which includes action to improve National Health Service innovation and adoption, clearer procurement routes into the NHS, reformed incentives to support innovation, and faster regulatory approval for new medicines and technologies. These measures are reinforced through the Government’s Industrial Strategy, which identifies life sciences as a priority growth sector and focuses on creating a pro‑business environment that supports investment and strengthens UK manufacturing capability.
Asked by: Tessa Munt (Liberal Democrat - Wells and Mendip Hills)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will list the countries who have agreed to receive nationals who have been convicted of an offence in the UK; and what the arrangements are with each of those countries on prisoners serving the full term of the sentence handed down by the UK courts.
Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip
The removal of Foreign National Offenders with no right to stay in the UK to serve their sentences in their home countries is established Government policy. Prisoner transfers operate under binding legal multilateral or bilateral frameworks, known as Prisoner Transfer Agreements (PTAs), which set out robust obligations for recognising and enforcing UK sentences in accordance with the terms agreed. Of the countries the UK has a PTA with (listed in PQ tabled 3 March 2026 with Unique Identifying Number 117419), the UK has utilised the respective PTA arrangements to transfer individuals to the following countries:
Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, the United States of America, and Vietnam.
Under a PTA, the receiving State is required to recognise the sentence imposed by the UK courts and to enforce the full sentence, in line with the terms of the agreement and with its own domestic legal framework.
Generally, the receiving State would only adapt the sentence if it is more than the maximum sentence in that State. As part of the transfer application process, partner countries provide details of their proposed release arrangements, which are assessed carefully before approval. The UK only agrees to a transfer when satisfied that the receiving State will enforce the sentence appropriately.