Every parliamentary written question tabled by Gavin Williamson this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 24 · Cabinet Office
What formal guidance, policies, or risk assessments has the UK government issued to UK research institutions, NHS bodies, and private genomics companies regarding the sharing of genomic data with foreign entities.
I refer the Honourable Gentleman to the response given on 10 December to PQ 96655.
What criteria does the Government use to determine whether a company constitutes a threat to national security and is thus placed under investigation by the Procurement Act 2023.
I refer the Rt Hon Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge to my answer on the 9th of December (PQ96652/3/4).
Whether any Chinese companies are under investigation under the Procurement Act 2023.
The Procurement Act 2023 allows the Government to investigate and, where appropriate, add suppliers to a centrally managed debarment list. Addition to the list impacts on a supplier’s eligibility for public contracts. These decisions can be taken on multiple grounds, including national security. The Government does not routinely comment on debarment investigations under the Procurement Act.Any suppliers subject to debarment will be listed on gov.uk.
Whether any Chinese companies have been debarred under the Procurement Act 2023.
The Procurement Act 2023 allows the Government to investigate and, where appropriate, add suppliers to a centrally managed debarment list. Addition to the list impacts on a supplier’s eligibility for public contracts. These decisions can be taken on multiple grounds, including national security. The Government does not routinely comment on debarment investigations under the Procurement Act.Any suppliers subject to debarment will be listed on gov.uk.
What formal guidance, policies and risk assessments he has issued to research institutions, NHS bodies and private genomics companies on the sharing of genomic data with foreign entities.
The 2023 UK Biological Security Strategy (BSS) sets out how the country is strengthening resilience to a spectrum of biological threats. As part of the BSS, DSIT is ensuring the UK is a world leader in responsible innovation in engineering biology – working closely with academia and industry to improve shared awareness of security risks, and ensuring any measures to mitigate risks (including those related to genomic data) remain proportionate.All organisations holding health data (including genomics data) must comply with GDPR. To comply with GDPR, DSIT and DHSC require safeguards to be in place when health data is transferred outside the UK, including a risk assessment for countries not recognised as offering an equivalent level of data protection by the UK.On behalf of DSIT, the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), have developed the Trusted Research campaign to advise academia on international collaborations, by informing them of the threat and helping them make decisions about research and research partners. NPSA and NCSC have also developed the Secure Innovation campaign to help new start-ups in the emerging and critical technology sectors think carefully about their partners and investment.Alongside this work, DSIT’s Research Collaboration Advice Team offers the research sector tailored advice on managing the risks of international research collaboration. DSIT also engages in a two-way dialogue with policymakers, academia and industry on the responsible use of engineering biology and life sciences, through the Responsible Innovation Advisory Panel.
What criteria he uses to determine whether companies (a) constitute a threat to national security and (b) are placed under investigation under the Procurement Act 2023.
The Procurement Act 2023 allows the Government to investigate and, where appropriate, add suppliers to a centrally managed debarment list. Addition to the list impacts on a supplier’s eligibility for public contracts. These decisions can be taken on multiple grounds, including national security. The Government does not routinely comment on debarment investigations under the Procurement Act.Any suppliers subject to debarment will be listed on gov.uk.
Whether Varun Chandra has had (a) meetings, (b) correspondence and (c) formal communications with representatives of former clients of Hakluyt & Company since taking up his role as Special Adviser.
There is an established system in place for the declaration and management of special advisers' interests. As has been the case under successive administrations, interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are published on an annual basis by the Cabinet Office.
Whether (a) specific recusals and (b) mitigation measures have been applied to Varun Chandra in relation to any Government (i) decisions, (ii) policies, and (iii) meetings that may intersect with (A) Hakluyt & Company and (B) its associated investment vehicles.
There is an established system in place for the declaration and management of special advisers' interests. As has been the case under successive administrations, interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are published on an annual basis by the Cabinet Office.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Special Advisers’ Code of Conduct, whether Varun Chandra has declared any financial interests.
There is an established system in place for the declaration and management of special advisers' interests. As has been the case under successive administrations, interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are published on an annual basis by the Cabinet Office.
Whether the National Security Advisor met with Lord Mandelson between 4 July 2024 and 11 September 2025.
The National Security Adviser regularly engages with a range of government stakeholders on national security matters. The Government does not routinely comment on the meetings or correspondence of the National Security Adviser, which are often sensitive due to their national security implications.
If he will publish any official correspondence between Lord Mandelson and the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff between 4 July 2024 and 11 September 2025.
In line with longstanding process, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual members of staff.
If he will publish any official correspondence between Lord Mandelson and the National Security Advisor between 4 July 2024 and 11 September 2025.
The National Security Adviser regularly engages with a range of government stakeholders on national security matters. The Government does not routinely comment on the meetings or correspondence of the National Security Adviser, which are often sensitive due to their national security implications.
Whether the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff met with Lord Mandelson between 4 July 2024 and 11 September 2025.
In line with longstanding process, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual members of staff.
When the Prime Minister plans to respond to the letter of 15 February 2025 from the Rt hon. Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge on the Attorney General.
A response will be issued in due course.
How many deaths were associated with the abuse of volatile substances in England and Wales in (a) 2021, (b) 2022 and (c) 2023; and what volatile substances were mentioned on death certificates in England and Wales in each of those years.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Questions of 13th January is attached.
How many deaths were associated with the abuse of nitrous oxide in (a) England and (b) Wales in (i) 2021, (ii) 2022 and (iii) 2023.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Questions of 13th January is attached.
How many deaths were associated with helium and nitrogen in England and Wales in (a) 2021, (b) 2022 and (c) 2023.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Questions of 13th January is attached.
What the (a) age and (b) sex was of people whose deaths related to volatile substances in England and Wales from 2021 to 2023; and what the location of each such death was.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Questions of 13th January is attached.
What the mean age of death was of deaths related to volatile substances in England and Wales from 2021 to 2023.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Questions of 13th January is attached.
What is the estimated carbon footprint of the Prime Minister's recent visit to Samoa.
Ministerial travel is undertaken using efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Security considerations are also taken into account. It has been the practice that official Prime Ministerial flights are carbon offset and use Sustainable Aviation Fuel where either are possible.