Every parliamentary written question tabled by Graeme Downie this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 181–200 of 386 · this parliament
If he will provide a breakdown of flight time of the RAF P8-Poseidon fleet in hours, by (a) training, (b) specific exercises and (c) operational in each of the last two years.
I am withholding the information requested as the disclosure of information regarding a breakdown of flight time of the RAF P8-Poseidon fleet could, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.
How many hours have been flown by each of the P8-Poseidon fleet in the last 12 months.
For reasons of operational security, the Ministry of Defence does not release detailed information regarding the flight hours of individual aircraft within the P-8 Poseidon fleet. Disclosing such data could compromise operational effectiveness and national security.
How many times RAF P8-Poseidon aircraft have been launched from RAF Lossiemouth on operational mission in each of the last 12 months.
RAF P-8 Poseidon aircraft are routinely deployed from RAF Lossiemouth on operational missions in support of the UK's defence and security objectives. Over the past 12 months, an average of 17 operational missions per month have been conducted. For reasons of operational security, the Ministry of Defence does not disclose detailed information on the number of missions conducted.
How many times RAF Poseidon P8 aircraft have been intercepted by Russian jets in international airspace in each of the last 24 months.
I am withholding the information requested as the disclosure of information regarding interactions between RAF Poseidon P8 aircraft and foreign military assets could, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.
What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the RAF fleet of P8 Poseidon aircraft.
The RAF has conducted three series of trials to evaluate the P-8A Poseidon aircraft and its systems against the Maritime Patrol Aircraft Programme's capability requirements. These assessments confirmed that the P-8A Poseidon is an effective platform for its intended roles.
What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help tackle violence against the transgender community.
This Government is determined to tackle all forms of hate crime, including transphobic hate crime. Via the Crime and Policing Bill, we are delivering our manifesto commitment to treat such crimes as aggravated offences and ensure that perpetrators who carry out crimes against someone based on their transgender identity, sexual orientation or disability will spend longer behind bars. We will also deliver a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices.
Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of amending regulations on international satellites on (a) Scottish rural communities and (b) digital resilience.
In preparation for WRC-2027, Government officials are working with Ofcom and spectrum users to develop UK positions that reflect our national priorities, including enhancing rural connectivity, ensuring a resilient telecommunications sector, and supporting an international spectrum framework that enables the UK space and advanced connectivity technologies industries to thrive globally. DSIT Officials also engage with Ofcom on spectrum regulatory issues under discussion at the ITU, including Equivalent Power Flux Density limits, to help shape outcomes that align with the UK’s strategic interests.
Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on improvements to international satellite regulations to support the objectives of the (a) UK Space Strategy and (b) C-LEO programme.
As set out in the Industrial Strategy, which closely aligns to the objectives of the UK Space Strategy and C-LEO programme, DSIT is committed to ensuring appropriate spectrum availability to support Advanced Connectivity Technologies (ACT), including satellite broadband. DSIT will continue working closely with Ofcom and international counterparts ahead of the World Radio Conference 2027, as well as collaborating with Ofcom domestically to promote efficient, innovative spectrum allocation and regulation that supports the development and deployment of ACT.
Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Ofcom on satellite regulations, in the context of the forthcoming World Radiocommunication Conference 2027.
In preparation for WRC-2027, Government officials are working with Ofcom and spectrum users to develop UK positions that reflect our national priorities, including enhancing rural connectivity, ensuring a resilient telecommunications sector, and supporting an international spectrum framework that enables the UK space and advanced connectivity technologies industries to thrive globally. DSIT Officials also engage with Ofcom on spectrum regulatory issues under discussion at the ITU, including Equivalent Power Flux Density limits, to help shape outcomes that align with the UK’s strategic interests.
Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of equivalent power flux-density regulations on (a) rural connectivity and (b) the competitiveness of UK satellite broadband services.
In preparation for WRC-2027, Government officials are working with Ofcom and spectrum users to develop UK positions that reflect our national priorities, including enhancing rural connectivity, ensuring a resilient telecommunications sector, and supporting an international spectrum framework that enables the UK space and advanced connectivity technologies industries to thrive globally. DSIT Officials also engage with Ofcom on spectrum regulatory issues under discussion at the ITU, including Equivalent Power Flux Density limits, to help shape outcomes that align with the UK’s strategic interests.
Innovation and Technology, what discussions (a) his Department and (b) Ofcom have had with international counterparts on international satellite regulations to increase the availability of satellite broadband in the UK.
As set out in the Industrial Strategy, which closely aligns to the objectives of the UK Space Strategy and C-LEO programme, DSIT is committed to ensuring appropriate spectrum availability to support Advanced Connectivity Technologies (ACT), including satellite broadband. DSIT will continue working closely with Ofcom and international counterparts ahead of the World Radio Conference 2027, as well as collaborating with Ofcom domestically to promote efficient, innovative spectrum allocation and regulation that supports the development and deployment of ACT.
With reference to his Department's policy paper entitled The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy, published in June 2025, what progress he has made with Cabinet colleagues on the development of Defence Growth Deals.
At the Spending Review, the Chancellor announced that there will be Defence Growth Deals launched across the UK. Further details will be provided in the forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy.
What comparative assessment his Department has made of the length of visa free travel for (a) UK citizens in the (i) EU and (ii) Schengen area and (b) EU citizens in the UK.
The UK and the EU allow for visa-free, short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. This means, under the UK global immigration system, that EU citizens can travel visa-free to the UK for up to six months. UK nationals can travel visa-free in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. UK nationals planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State. The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.
How many people with Hepatitis B were waiting for an interim payment of compensation from the Infected Blood Compensation Authority on 30 June 2025.
The delivery of the Infected Blood Interim Compensation Payments is the responsibility of the four existing Infected Blood Support Schemes (IBSS). Interim Payments have been made to people infected with HIV and/or Hepatitis C as a result of infected blood and their bereaved partners. People infected with Hepatitis B are not eligible to apply to IBSS and are therefore not eligible for interim payments. However, the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, which is being delivered by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA), has broader eligibility criteria than the current Infected Blood Support Schemes. People who are or were infected with a chronic case of Hepatitis B are eligible for compensation under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, including compensation for past financial loss and care costs.
What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on compensation for people impacted by infected blood and also by variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
In his 2022 Compensation Framework Study, Sir Robert Francis recommended that variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) was not included in the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme. He noted that “this is a rare disease for which there is a separate compensation scheme. It is unlikely, therefore, that a separate category is justified in this scheme. However, many of the infected have been warned there is a risk of their having vCJD. Assuming that risk, insofar as it exists, is shared by all who have received blood or blood products in the relevant period, there is no special case for taking it into account in this scheme." Chapter 5 of the Infected Blood Inquiry’s May 2024 Report examines the Government response to vCJD.
If he will make an estimate of the number of people with Hepatitis B who are entitled to compensation from the Infected Blood Compensation Authority.
While there is no way of knowing exactly how many people were infected as a result of this scandal, the findings of the Statistical Expert Group, established by the Infected Blood Inquiry, has provided valuable insight into the numbers of infections from blood and blood products in the UK between 1970 and 1991. In their September 2022 Report, they noted that, due to the limitations in the data available, it is not possible to answer the question of how many people were infected with Hepatitis B due to infected blood “with any reasonable accuracy when compared to other infections.” Therefore, the final number of eligible people infected with Hepatitis B will ultimately depend on the number of victims who come forward to the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, who are responsible for the delivery of the Compensation Scheme. There is no limit or target on the amount announced for the scheme and each eligible person will get the compensation they are due.
How many people with Hepatitis B had received an interim payment of compensation from the Infected Blood Compensation Authority by 30 June 2025.
The delivery of the Infected Blood Interim Compensation Payments is the responsibility of the four existing Infected Blood Support Schemes (IBSS). Interim Payments have been made to people infected with HIV and/or Hepatitis C as a result of infected blood and their bereaved partners. People infected with Hepatitis B are not eligible to apply to IBSS and are therefore not eligible for interim payments. However, the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, which is being delivered by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA), has broader eligibility criteria than the current Infected Blood Support Schemes. People who are or were infected with a chronic case of Hepatitis B are eligible for compensation under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, including compensation for past financial loss and care costs.
What methods the NHS uses to sterilise equipment to help prevent vCJD contamination; how long these methods have been used for; and what assessment he has made on the effectiveness of these methods.
The National Health Service in England employs a stratified approach, combining extended autoclaving, enhanced washing, prion specific chemicals, and the destruction of high-risk instruments. The Health Technical Memorandum 01-01: Management and decontamination of surgical instruments (medical devices) used in acute care, published in 2013 and owned by the Department, outlines the decontamination practices and the various ways to sterilise reusable medical devices used in acute care in England. This technical memorandum is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/decontamination-of-surgical-instruments-htm-01-01/The Advisory Committee for Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) issued new guidance to the NHS in April 1998 in response to the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) outbreak, to improve decontamination practices. Its guidance is reviewed and updated to ensure it remains accurate, effective, and compliant with current scientific evidence, and was last updated in November 2021. The ACDP’s guidance is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-from-the-acdp-tse-risk-management-subgroup-formerly-tse-working-groupSince decontamination measures were put in place, there have been no confirmed cases of vCJD via surgical instruments in England.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the economic impact of US Customs pre-clearance at Edinburgh Airport.
The Foreign Secretary has not had any discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on this topic. A decision to explore US pre-clearance is primarily a commercial decision for airport operators.
What discussions he has had with the Mining Remediation Authority on the potential impact of differences in property conveyancing in Scotland on compensation offers to homeowners affected by old mine workings.
The circumstances for purchasing property damaged by old coal mine workings are covered in the Coal Mining Subsidence Act 1991. This includes gaining agreement with individual property owners on the full market value of the property in its undamaged condition based on independent local valuations. In addition, there is also a payment for all reasonable moving expenses, professional fees and home loss compensation capped at £15,000. Where required, payment for temporary accommodation is also covered. Buying properties in Scotland is covered by the missives process which differs to the process of buying properties in England and Wales.