Written questions by MacDonald.

What steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with (i) Cyprus and (ii) France.

The UK is committed to deepening our bilateral relationships with both France and the Republic of Cyprus, as outlined in the Strategic Defence Review 2025.The UK continues to share a strong Defence relationship with the Republic of Cyprus, through which we cooperate on matters of shared interest. Bilateral cooperation involves a range of a range of multi-domain activities through training, capability development, and crisis planning, as well as collaborating on domestic and regional challenges. Recently, this included UK support to Republic of Cyprus firefighters using ground and aerial assets to combat wildfires. This united response helped protect 15 villages that were threatened by the flames.Lancaster House 2.0 marks a reboot of the UK-France defence and security relationship, building on the 2010 Lancaster House Treaties. The UK has committed to launching the Combined Joint Force (CJF), overhauling the existing Combined Joint Expeditionary Force to refocus it on the Euro-Atlantic and warfighting at scale to deter, placing it on an operational footing for the first time. Lancaster House 2.0 also sets out the deepening of the UK-France nuclear collaboration, with the first Nuclear Steering Group meeting in November, to co-ordinate deeper UK-France collaboration across nuclear policy, capabilities and operations. The UK agreed to embark upon an ‘Entente Industrielle’ with France, to enhance capability and industrial cooperation and progress is being made on key capability projects.

Whether he has had discussions with consumer protection bodies on the potential impact of businesses that do not provide direct human customer services contact on the level of service provided to consumers.

The Government expects all businesses to treat their consumers fairly. Businesses are required under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 to provide contact information in a clear and comprehensible manner which is easily, directly and permanently accessible. This includes the business name, the geographical address where the business is established, a telephone number, and email address.As long as businesses comply with this requirement, the mechanisms they use to provide customer services is a commercial decision that the government does not normally seek to intervene in.

What steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Italy.

Through regular meetings between our Defence Secretaries, our bilateral High-Level Military Dialogue, and interaction through other groupings such as NATO and E5 Defence Ministers Group, we continuously explore how the UK and Italy can better work together to address issues of shared strategic interest.In recent years, the relationship has been consolidated by our commitment to the Global Combat Air Programme alongside Japan which achieved Treaty Ratification in December 2024. Additionally, in February 2025, we signed the Statement of Intent for Capabilities and Complex Weapons which will enable deeper collaboration on defence exports and industry. Operationally, only two European nations with carrier-capable F-35B aircraft, we continue to deepen interoperability between our Carrier Strike Groups. This was clear to see during Ex MED STRIKE which took place during the UK Carrier Strike Group's transit of the Mediterranean earlier this year. During this exercise, the UK's Carrier Strike Group combined with the Italian Carrier Strike Group, conducting essential training together including on anti-submarine warfare and air defence tactics.

What steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Cyprus.

The UK continues to share a strong Defence relationship with the Republic of Cyprus, through which we cooperate on matters of shared interest. Bilateral cooperation involves a range of a range of multi-domain activities through training, capability development, and crisis planning, as well as collaborating on domestic and regional challenges. Recently, this included UK support to Republic of Cyprus firefighters using ground and aerial assets to combat wildfires. This united response helped protect 15 villages that were threatened by the flames.

What steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Bulgaria.

The UK continues to share a strong Defence relationship with Bulgaria, and greatly values Bulgaria’s continued leadership in the region as a Black Sea nation. We cooperate deeply on matters of shared interest, undertaking a range of bilateral activities through education, exercising and expertise exchange. Recently, this included on Exercise STEADFAST DART which practiced the first deployment of the Allied Reaction Force operating through Bulgaria, demonstrating NATO readiness to rapidly reinforce the Eastern Flank. UK-Bulgaria defence cooperation is reviewed annually by our respective Ministries of Defence.

What steps his Department is taking to encourage businesses to promote customer contact by providing (a) phone numbers (b) email addresses (c) live chat for customers and (d) multiple contact options.

The Government expects all businesses to treat their consumers fairly. Businesses are required under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 to provide contact information in a clear and comprehensible manner which is easily, directly and permanently accessible. This includes the business name, the geographical address where the business is established, a telephone number, and email address.As long as businesses comply with this requirement, the mechanisms they use to provide customer services is a commercial decision that the government does not normally seek to intervene in.

What steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Luxembourg.

The UK continues to strengthen its defence relationship with Luxembourg, both bilaterally and through multilateral frameworks, particularly NATO. Our respective Chiefs of Defence have met in the context of wider NATO engagements to discuss and enhance support for the Alliance’s collective defence and deterrence objectives. These meetings have also contributed to broader efforts to strengthen European defence. Most recently, in September, Luxembourg’s Minister of Defence, Yuriko Backes, was invited to attend the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition, where she was hosted by Defence Minister Lord Coaker.

What steps he is taking to strengthen (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Latvia.

The UK continues to deepen its defence cooperation with Latvia across both military and broader strategic domains. This includes working with Latvia bilaterally as well as through NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). UK troops are currently deployed in Latvia on a JEF exercise, marking the largest ever ground troop deployment to the country. This demonstrates our enduring commitment to NATO and regional security. The UK also remains a joint leader with Latvia on the Drone Coalition, an initiative to source, test, and manufacture drones in support of Ukraine. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to innovation and operational support for allies facing aggression.

What steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Lithuania.

The UK continues to develop its defence relationship with Lithuania, as both NATO and The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) allies. The JEF provides a key framework for deepening UK-Lithuania cooperation, enabling both countries to collaborate effectively on rapid response operations, collective defence, and deterrence within Northern Europe and the Baltic region. Through the JEF, the UK and Lithuania participate in regular joint exercises, operational planning, and capability development, enhancing interoperability and readiness to respond to emerging threats.

What steps he is taking to strengthen the UK’s (a) military and (b) defence cooperation with Poland.

The United Kingdom greatly values Poland as a steadfast ally and a leader on NATO’s eastern flank. Our nations share a proud history of standing together in defence of freedom, and today we face new and complex challenges that demand the same unity of purpose. Our new Defence and Security Treaty, and supporting Bilateral Defence Plan, will set a clear strategic direction for the next 15 years and beyond. We will not only reinforce our shared commitment to collective security, but also deepen industrial cooperation, enhance interoperability, and drive innovation. Together, we will ensure that our forces can act together with speed and confidence to deter and defeat emerging threats, safeguard our people and uphold European security.

What steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Croatia.

The UK enjoys a strong relationship with Croatia as a regionally important, likeminded NATO Ally. We regularly work together on areas of shared strategy interest, including on support to Ukraine and commitment to NATO standardisation. The depth of this relationship is exemplified by the annual success of Ex SAVA STAR, the capstone UK-Croatia land training exercise.

What steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Germany.

The United Kingdom is taking significant steps to deepen both military and broader defence cooperation with Germany. This effort is anchored in the landmark Trinity House Agreement, signed in October 2024, which established a strategic framework for bilateral defence collaboration.Under this agreement, the UK and Germany have launched a series of Lighthouse Projects that span deep precision strike capabilities and collaboration across all domains. We are also leading the development of a new long-range strike system. As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, the UK and Germany share the ambition to deliver conventional deep precision strike capabilities, collaboration on which can deliver an important contribution to European strike capability through the ELSA programme, a multinational effort to enhance Europe's defence systems by the 2030s.Under Trinity House we have intensified cooperation in undersea warfare, including collaboration on P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft and a shared procurement of Sting Ray torpedoes. We have twice now had German crews fly on UK P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft, supporting NATO's Baltic Sentry and helping to prepare for the German aircraft delivery later this year.The UK and Germany are collaboratively seeking closer bilateral relations to strengthen collective security in the Euro-Atlantic, developing cost-effective means of delivering priority capabilities as set out in the Strategic Defence Review.

What steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with (i) Croatia and (ii) Greece.

The UK enjoys a strong relationship with Croatia as a regionally important, likeminded NATO Ally. We regularly work together on areas of shared strategy interest, including on support to Ukraine and commitment to NATO standardisation. The depth of this relationship is exemplified by the annual success of Ex SAVA STAR, the capstone UK-Croatia land training exercise. Greece is a major defence and security partner for the UK. With a relationship steeped in history, Greece remains a close partner for the UK both bilaterally and within NATO. We regularly we cooperate on matters of shared interest, with bilateral cooperation involving a range of a range of multi-domain activities through training, capability development, and crisis planning.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to collect data on livestock losses attributable to white-tailed eagle predation.

A formal reintroduction of white-tailed eagles on the Isle of Wight has released 45 birds, since 2019. All the eagles in southern England are fitted with GPS tags, collecting high resolution data of their movements. Detailed diet monitoring has revealed no livestock losses related to the eagles, with fish and waterbirds identified as the most important components of their diet.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the impact of white-tailed eagle predation on livestock.

The Government has not discussed the impact of white-tailed eagle predation on livestock with the Scottish Government.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to provide funding to support farmers for non-lethal mitigation measures for white-tailed eagle predation.

The Government has no plans to provide funding to support farmers for non-lethal mitigation measures for white-tailed eagle predation.

What steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Ireland.

In a joint declaration following the UK-Ireland summit 6 March 2025, the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, announced their commitment to deepen cooperation between the two nations. For Defence, the declaration highlighted the area of maritime security, specifically critical sea infrastructure, and cyber-security, to ensure the protection of shared information. These commitments are to be reflected in a refresh of the 2015 UK-Ireland Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) following next spring’s UK-Ireland summit.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of diplomatic engagement with the Taliban on (a) the rights of women and girls and (b) other human rights issues.

The Government condemns the Taliban's appalling repression of Afghan women and girls. Officials regularly engage with the Taliban on UK Government priorities, including human rights. The Government is working with international partners to maintain collective pressure on the Taliban to reverse their inhuman restrictions.The UK strongly opposes the death penalty in all countries as a matter of principle, and in all circumstances, including through UN and Human Rights Council resolutions.In October, the UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls and the UK Special Envoy to Afghanistan met Afghan women leaders. Upholding the human rights of all Afghans is not only a moral imperative, but essential for building a stable, inclusive, and prosperous country.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.

The Government condemns the Taliban's appalling repression of Afghan women and girls. Officials regularly engage with the Taliban on UK Government priorities, including human rights. The Government is working with international partners to maintain collective pressure on the Taliban to reverse their inhuman restrictions.The UK strongly opposes the death penalty in all countries as a matter of principle, and in all circumstances, including through UN and Human Rights Council resolutions.In October, the UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls and the UK Special Envoy to Afghanistan met Afghan women leaders. Upholding the human rights of all Afghans is not only a moral imperative, but essential for building a stable, inclusive, and prosperous country.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her international partners on taking steps to help (a) prevent the use of stoning as a punishment for adultery and (b) protect women’s rights in Afghanistan.

The Government condemns the Taliban's appalling repression of Afghan women and girls. Officials regularly engage with the Taliban on UK Government priorities, including human rights. The Government is working with international partners to maintain collective pressure on the Taliban to reverse their inhuman restrictions.The UK strongly opposes the death penalty in all countries as a matter of principle, and in all circumstances, including through UN and Human Rights Council resolutions.In October, the UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls and the UK Special Envoy to Afghanistan met Afghan women leaders. Upholding the human rights of all Afghans is not only a moral imperative, but essential for building a stable, inclusive, and prosperous country.