Written questions by Kearns.

Whether the proposed duty to report child abuse in the Crime and Policing Bill would apply to disclosures made in religious confessionals.

Ministers have met with a number of interested Parliamentarians to discuss clauses 45-54 of the Crime and Policing Bill, including a member of the Lords Spiritual. We will continue to engage with faith groups that and other organisations to help them manage the implementation of the new duty.The duty will apply to individuals undertaking relevant activity with children, including in religious and faith-based settings. There are no exceptions made within the law on the basis of how and where disclosures are received.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to prevent the Rural Payments Agency's planned cancellation of payments under the SAM3: herbal leys scheme .

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) have identified that a number of customers have included actions within their Sustainable Farming Incentive agreement that may not be allowed under the scheme rules and as clearly set out in the customer guidance. These cases have been identified through eligibility checks carried out and the RPA are working through these. The RPA is conscious of the impact delay to payments may have and are contacting affected customers as required to resolve this and ensure any payments due can be made as soon as possible.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of ending payments from the SAM3: herbal leys scheme on farmers.

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) have identified that a number of customers have included actions within their Sustainable Farming Incentive agreement that may not be allowed under the scheme rules and as clearly set out in the customer guidance. These cases have been identified through eligibility checks carried out and the RPA are working through these. The RPA is conscious of the impact delay to payments may have and are contacting affected customers as required to resolve this and ensure any payments due can be made as soon as possible.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment on the effectiveness of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate since it removed the ability to submit reports online.

The provision of a Web reporting route for suspected adverse event cases to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is not mandatory and, therefore, its suspension does not affect the VMD’s approach to assessment. Reporting of adverse events continues directly through the adverse.events@vmd.gov.uk mailbox for non-authorised veterinary medicinal products or for authorised products should the reporter be unable to report directly to the Marketing Authorisation Holder.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the approved monitoring scheme for PM10 admissions from quarries.

Particulate matter emissions from quarries are regulated under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales) 2016, including through emission limits and monitoring requirements on total particulate matter. We will keep standards for PM10 emissions from quarries under review to ensure emissions controls and monitoring requirements are up-to-date. Monitoring stations measure PM10 levels in various locations across the UK. Information and data are available through the webpage UKAIR. All locations are currently assessed as being below the PM10 limit value set out in the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010, based on monitoring and modelling.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will consider reforming the monitoring system for PM10 emissions from quarries; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on public health.

Particulate matter emissions from quarries are regulated under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales) 2016, including through emission limits and monitoring requirements on total particulate matter. We will keep standards for PM10 emissions from quarries under review to ensure emissions controls and monitoring requirements are up-to-date. Monitoring stations measure PM10 levels in various locations across the UK. Information and data are available through the webpage UKAIR. All locations are currently assessed as being below the PM10 limit value set out in the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010, based on monitoring and modelling.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the China Investment Company’s ownership stake in Heathrow airport on national security.

The Government takes its responsibility for national security extremely seriously and balances this with its continued commitment to welcome inward investment in a way that provides investors with the certainty and transparency they need to do business in the UK. For any new investments into the UK that fall under an area of the economy deemed to be in a sensitive sector, which includes new investments into the transport sector, we will use the powers afforded by the National Security and Investment Act 2021 to scrutinise transactions and intervene if necessary to protect national security. We work across government to conduct due diligence and other assessments and ensure that any potential national security risk to the UK is handled appropriately.

Whether (a) she and (b) her officials discussed the China audit with (i) Ministers and (ii) officials in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office ahead of her visit to the People's Republic of China.

The UK Government is carrying out an audit to examine the UK's interests with respect to China to improve our ability to understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities China poses. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has discussed various topics, including the China audit, with the Secretary of State of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. HM Treasury officials speak regularly with officials in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect British (a) farmers and (b) produce from the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in (i) Hungary and (ii) Slovakia.

The Government has stepped up measures to protect the UK from Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) following recent outbreaks in Central Europe and Germany. This includes a ban on imports of live animals and certain animal products to Great Britain from Hungary, Slovakia and Austria. We have also imposed an equivalent ban from the region of Germany that experienced an FMD outbreak in January. From 12 April 2025 we have also extended restrictions on personal imports. Travellers are no longer permitted to bring meat or dairy products from cattle, sheep, goats, or pigs into Great Britain from any EU country for personal use. Together Government, travellers, animal keepers and the livestock industry must do everything we can to keep FMD out and protect animal health and welfare. We urge livestock keepers to be extra vigilant and report any suspicion of FMD or other notifiable disease immediately.

Whether she plans to create an exemption from proposed changes to Personal Independence Payments for people who have been medically retired from the emergency services.

The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment considers the needs arising from a long-term health condition or disability, not the health condition or disability itself. The impact in each case will depend on an individual’s circumstances. For those already claiming PIP, the changes will only apply from November 2026 at their next award review, subject to parliamentary approval. People will be reviewed by a trained assessor or healthcare professional and assessed on individual needs and circumstance. We are also mindful of the impact this could have on people. That is why, in the Green Paper Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working (published on 18 March), we are consulting on how best to support those who lose entitlement due to the reforms, including how to make sure health and eligible care needs are met.

Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to ban the game entitled No Mercy.

The government welcomes steps taken to remove this game from gaming platforms. The government has pledged to halve violence against women and girls, including where it occurs online, in a decade. We expect all platforms, including gaming sites in scope of the Online Safety Act, to comply with the law. This currently requires all user-to-user and search services to have systems and processes in place to remove illegal content, and in the coming months, to protect children from harmful content.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Food Standards Agency reducing the discount rate for official control fees on abattoirs.

The meat charging rates for 2025/26 have been calculated and were published on the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) website on 28 February 2025. The 2025/26 Charges Guide and full details about the calculation of the FSA’s charges, including the discount applied, are available at the following link:https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/charges-for-controls-in-meat-premisesIn February and March 2025, the FSA held stakeholder engagement sessions in Belfast, Cardiff and London. The sessions provided an opportunity for stakeholders to offer insight to help the FSA better understand the importance and value of the discount provided. Analysis of the information gathered at the stakeholder sessions is currently taking place. The key findings from both the stakeholder engagement and internal economic analysis are to be discussed by the FSA Board at its June 2025 meeting.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he expects the China audit to be (a) completed and (b) published.

We are carrying out an audit of the UK's interests with China, so we can understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities China poses. This is a comprehensive exercise, which is important to get right. Whilst we have never committed to a specific date, the process will conclude in due course and we intend to share elements of the Audit publicly. Some parts will remain confidential, in order not to compromise UK interests.

If he will publish the clean energy partnership memorandum of understanding signed with China in March 2025.

The Clean Energy Partnership, signed by the Energy Secretary, allows UK officials to engage with the equivalent Chinese ministry to share policy best practice and technical knowledge in support of enabling the UK and China’s respective energy transitions, which is key in tackling the climate crisis. It also provides a platform to address any concerns we may have around energy security directly with China. This partnership is a private document, consistent with the precedent agreed by the previous government and China’s National Energy Administration. We will always take a consistent, long-term strategic approach to managing relations with China, ensuring that we have the appropriate measures in place to mitigate any risks.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any Cabinet colleagues have asked his Department to delay the China audit.

The China Audit is a comprehensive cross-government process. The timeline is driven by the need for sufficient consultation and analysis, across government and beyond, in order to inform Audit conclusions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Indian counterpart on Jagtar Singh Johal’s continuing detention following his acquittal 4 March 2025.

The Foreign Secretary has raised Mr Johal's case with his Indian counterpart on several occasions, most recently on 5 March immediately following the acquittal in one of the cases faced by Mr Johal. We continue to make clear to the Government of India that faster progress is needed towards a full resolution of Mr Johal's cases.

What steps he is taking to ensure that nuclear power development does not use Chinese funding.

The Government has robust powers under the National Security & Investment Act 2021 to scrutinise and intervene in acquisitions that pose a national security risk to critical national infrastructure. The National Security & Investment Act requires mandatory notification of some of the most sensitive acquisitions, including some acquisitions in the UK’s civil nuclear sector.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Mingyang supplying the Green Volt offshore wind project on national security.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon Friend the Minister for Climate gave on 12 February to the Urgent Question tabled by the hon Member for Edinburgh West (Christine Jardine). We cannot comment on individual investment cases, but investment into the energy sector is subject to the highest levels of national security scrutiny, and we will continue to work closely with industry to build secure supply chains and ensure the UK remains one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has met with the family of Jagtar Singh Johal since his acquittal on 4 March 2025.

The Government remains committed to working for faster progress on Jagtar Singh Johal's case, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continue to provide support to Mr Johal and his family. The Foreign Secretary last met Mr Johal's family on 30 October 2024 and is due to meet them again in early May.

What steps her Department is taking to help reduce Chinese state influence in UK universities.

The UK welcomes international partnerships, including with China, which make a positive impact on the UK’s higher education (HE) sector, our economy and society as a whole. However, we will always protect our national security interests, human rights and values.Any international arrangements made by registered HE providers in England must be within the law and comply with the registration conditions set by the Office for Students, including a commitment to their public interest governance principles. There are a set of further measures that protect against undue foreign interference in our universities. These range from the Academic Technology Approval Scheme, which vets students and researchers seeking to study in sensitive areas, to the provisions in the Higher Education Freedom of Speech Act 2023, which will offer a focussed route for concerns, including relating to foreign interference in academic freedom and free speech, to be escalated.To support universities to maximise the opportunities of international collaboration whilst managing the risks, the government offers practical advice through the National Protective Security Authority, the National Cyber Security Centre and the Research Collaboration and Advice Team. The department works alongside these partners and engages directly with the sector to increase their understanding of the risks and their ability to respond to them.This government will take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing the UK’s relations with China, rooted in UK and global interests. We will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to and challenge where we must. The department is contributing towards the government’s audit of the UK’s relationship with China as a bilateral and global actor, to improve our ability to understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities China poses.