Written questions by Davis.

What guidance her Department provides to police forces on their deployment of live facial recognition cameras.

Guidance on watchlists is provided by the College of Policing in the form of an Authorised Professional Practice. This sets out the categories of people who may be included on a watchlist, which depends on the nature of the deployment. Watchlists must be tailored to a specific policing objective and reviewed before each deployment to ensure they meet the legal tests of necessity and proportionality.Watchlists may include individuals wanted by the police or the courts, suspects, missing or vulnerable people, or those posing a risk of harm to themselves or others. In some cases, this may include vulnerable individuals such as missing children.Although there is a legal framework in place, it is complicated, inflexible and difficult for the public and police to understand. That is why we have launched a consultation to support the development of a new legal framework for law enforcement use of biometrics, facial recognition and similar technologies.

What guidance her Department provides to police forces on including children in live facial recognition camera watchlists.

Guidance on watchlists is provided by the College of Policing in the form of an Authorised Professional Practice. This sets out the categories of people who may be included on a watchlist, which depends on the nature of the deployment. Watchlists must be tailored to a specific policing objective and reviewed before each deployment to ensure they meet the legal tests of necessity and proportionality.Watchlists may include individuals wanted by the police or the courts, suspects, missing or vulnerable people, or those posing a risk of harm to themselves or others. In some cases, this may include vulnerable individuals such as missing children.Although there is a legal framework in place, it is complicated, inflexible and difficult for the public and police to understand. That is why we have launched a consultation to support the development of a new legal framework for law enforcement use of biometrics, facial recognition and similar technologies.

What is the average time between a Child Maintenance Service complaint being received by the Independent Case Examiner and the issuing of a final decision.

As of 31 October 2025, Child Maintenance Service (CMS) cases in investigation waited an average of 25 weeks from the date they were received by the Independent Case Examiner’s office to the date they were allocated to an Investigator. This is a significant improvement compared to January 2024, when CMS cases in investigation had waited an average of 66 weeks from receipt date to the date they were allocated to an Investigator. The Independent Case Examiner’s office continually seeks to improve this further. In CMS cases cleared between 01/04/25 – 31/10/25, it took an average of 33 weeks from the date complaints were received into the Independent Case Examiners office to the date a decision was made and issued. The 33 weeks is made up of 25 weeks awaiting allocation to an Investigator and 8 weeks in investigation.

What is the average time between a Child Maintenance Service complaint being received by the Independent Case Examiner and its allocation to an investigator.

As of 31 October 2025, Child Maintenance Service (CMS) cases in investigation waited an average of 25 weeks from the date they were received by the Independent Case Examiner’s office to the date they were allocated to an Investigator. This is a significant improvement compared to January 2024, when CMS cases in investigation had waited an average of 66 weeks from receipt date to the date they were allocated to an Investigator. The Independent Case Examiner’s office continually seeks to improve this further. In CMS cases cleared between 01/04/25 – 31/10/25, it took an average of 33 weeks from the date complaints were received into the Independent Case Examiners office to the date a decision was made and issued. The 33 weeks is made up of 25 weeks awaiting allocation to an Investigator and 8 weeks in investigation.

What steps she is taking to reform funding processes for the provision of SEND support.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and those in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.The funding and other arrangements for improving the SEND system are under review, and we are continuing to engage closely with children, parents and experts as we develop plans to ensure all children get the outcomes and life chances they deserve.In the meantime, the department is providing total high needs funding this financial year of over £12 billion for children and young people with complex SEND. Of that total, East Riding of Yorkshire Council is being allocated over £42 million through the high needs funding block of their dedicated schools grant. This high needs funding is to help meet the costs local authorities are facing this financial year, as they in turn provide support to schools and other education providers, and ultimately to children with SEND.

Representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will make an estimate of the costs of (a) the two-week parliamentary sitting between the end of summer recess and the start of conference recess and (b) suspending maintenance work across the parliamentary estate during those sittings.

The Commission estimates that the cost of the September sitting to the House of Commons Administration is in the region of £180–260k, assuming it comprises eight sitting days. This estimate includes: i. business as usual operations; ii. maintenance costs; and iii. expenditure on capital projects.i. For business-as-usual operations that support the House, the saving would be estimated at around £95k, if there were no September sitting. This saving is based on overtime payments and broadcasting, plus additional income that could be generated from tours and retail. Some of this, however, would be offset by reduced income in catering and banqueting.ii. Further savings would likely be achieved by the Parliamentary Maintenance Services Team (PMST) if the House were to not sit in September. Much of PMST’s work occurs outside of the sitting hours of the House at times which typically command a premium for labour. Moving eight days of out-of-hours labour into regular working hours is likely to save the Team about £60k.iii. Expenditure on capital projects is more difficult to disaggregate. However, it is an observable trend in the House Administration’s outturn figures across previous years that works are, where possible, arranged around the sittings of the House. As with PMST’s work, this arrangement carries a financial premium directly – through overtime payments and nightwork premiums – and indirectly – through more unexpected disruptions, and greater restrictions on works close to the Chamber, particularly if they are noisy. Therefore, for larger construction projects, drawing on costs from recent years and basing it on construction projects within the Palace over eight days in September, the savings to the House would likely be in the region of £25–105k.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many times employees of Global Counsel have visited the UK embassy in Washington since 10 February 2025.

It is a long-standing practice of successive governments not to comment on private meetings.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many times Benjamin Wegg-Prosser has visited the UK embassy in Washington since 10 February 2025.

It is a long-standing practice of successive governments not to comment on private meetings.

If he will publish correspondence between Lord Mandelson and Morgan McSweeney on the former's appointment as the British Ambassador to the United States.

In line with longstanding process, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual members of staff.

If her Department will withdraw outstanding Technical Capability Notices relating to encryption.

For reasons of national security, it has been a long-standing position that the Government does not confirm or deny Technical Capability Notices under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.

What information his Department holds on the number of suspected IRA members accused of terrorism offences between 1970 and 1990 that were later acquitted.

The Northern Ireland Office does not hold information relating to charging and prosecutions of terrorism offences; this would be held by the operationally independent PSNI and PPSNI.

What documents provide the record of proceedings of an employment tribunal hearing for cases heard before the Presidential Practice Direction of November 2023.

Prior to November 2023, the record of proceedings typically consisted of the Employment Judge’s handwritten or typed notes taken during the hearing.

Whether she has made an estimate of the number of cars that would be compatible with (a) E15 and (b) E20 fuel.

The UK Government made E10 the standard (or ‘premium’) grade petrol in Great Britain in September 2021. Previously the grade supplied at UK forecourts contained a lower bioethanol content known as E5. In making the decision to mandate E10 the Department carried out extensive consultation and undertook a comprehensive public information campaign. The UK did not move to E10 without assurance that vehicles on UK roads were ready to safely use higher blends of bioethanol, and that such a transition would align with industry agreed fuel standards for petrol. The industry agreed standard for petrol, EN228, currently only permits fuel suppliers to supply petrol containing up to 10% ethanol (E10). The Department continually reviews all policies relevant to biofuels, including on E10. Any changes to fuel regulation would require alignment with industry led fuel standards for petrol and a consultation.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential effectiveness of using E20 fuel.

The UK Government made E10 the standard (or ‘premium’) grade petrol in Great Britain in September 2021. Previously the grade supplied at UK forecourts contained a lower bioethanol content known as E5. In making the decision to mandate E10 the Department carried out extensive consultation and undertook a comprehensive public information campaign. The UK did not move to E10 without assurance that vehicles on UK roads were ready to safely use higher blends of bioethanol, and that such a transition would align with industry agreed fuel standards for petrol. The industry agreed standard for petrol, EN228, currently only permits fuel suppliers to supply petrol containing up to 10% ethanol (E10). The Department continually reviews all policies relevant to biofuels, including on E10. Any changes to fuel regulation would require alignment with industry led fuel standards for petrol and a consultation.

Whether she has made a comparative assessment of the potential impact of using (a) E20 and (b) E10 fuel on (i) fuel consumption and (ii) emissions.

The UK Government made E10 the standard (or ‘premium’) grade petrol in Great Britain in September 2021. Previously the grade supplied at UK forecourts contained a lower bioethanol content known as E5. In making the decision to mandate E10 the Department carried out extensive consultation and undertook a comprehensive public information campaign. The UK did not move to E10 without assurance that vehicles on UK roads were ready to safely use higher blends of bioethanol, and that such a transition would align with industry agreed fuel standards for petrol. The industry agreed standard for petrol, EN228, currently only permits fuel suppliers to supply petrol containing up to 10% ethanol (E10). The Department continually reviews all policies relevant to biofuels, including on E10. Any changes to fuel regulation would require alignment with industry led fuel standards for petrol and a consultation.

How many technical capability notices issued under s.253 of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 have been complied with in each year.

For reasons of national security, it has been a long-standing position that the Government does not confirm or deny compliance of operators given a notice under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. We also do not publish the number of technical capability notices issued or release identities of those subject to a technical capability notice. To do so may identify operational capabilities or harm the commercial interests of companies.

How many technical capability notices her Department has issued under s.253 of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 in each year, not including the notice rejected by Apple.

For reasons of national security, it has been a long-standing position that the Government does not confirm or deny compliance of operators given a notice under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. We also do not publish the number of technical capability notices issued or release identities of those subject to a technical capability notice. To do so may identify operational capabilities or harm the commercial interests of companies.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure reliable access to NHS dental treatment in (a) East Riding of Yorkshire and (b) rural areas.

We are aware of the challenges faced in accessing a dentist, particularly in rural areas. The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. For East Riding of Yorkshire, this is the Humber and North Yorkshire ICB.The additional 700,000 appointments will be available across the country, with specific targets for each region. The Humber and North Yorkshire ICB is expected to deliver 27,196 additional urgent care appointments. These targets are more heavily weighted towards those areas where they are needed the most. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/arrangements-for-nhs-urgent-primary-dental-care-during-2025-26-and-confirmation-of-the-closure-of-the-new-patient-premium-scheme/#annex-a-distribution-of-700k-additional-appointments

What steps his Department is taking to increase the level of funding available for NHS dental treatments.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including National Health Service dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England.The NHS in England invests £3 billion into dentistry every year. NHS England is responsible for issuing guidance to ICBs on dental budgets, including ringfences. Dental budgets are ringfenced and NHS England reserves the right to direct unused resources, if contractors are unable to deliver on NHS dental commitments.NHS England’s Planning Guidance for 2025/26 has now been published and sets out the funding available to ICBs. Planning guidance also confirms that improving access to urgent dental appointments is a key national priority.

What recent progress his Department has made on reform of the NHS dental contract.

To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of National Health Service dentists.There are no perfect payment systems and careful consideration needs to be given to any potential changes to the complex dental system so that we deliver a system better for patients and the profession.We are continuing to meet the British Dental Association and other representatives of the dental sector to discuss how we can best deliver our shared ambition to improve access for NHS dental patients.