Written questions by Downie.

What guidance he has given to the Mining Remediation Authority on (a) property (i) conveyancing and (ii) valuation in Scotland and (b) their implications for 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.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his US counterparts on the possibility of a US Customs pre-clearance at Edinburgh Airport.

A decision to explore US pre-clearance is primarily a commercial decision for airport operators. An outline commercial agreement between the airport operator and US authorities would be required before any formal discussions between the UK and US government could take place.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he last discussed the possibility of a US Customs pre-clearance at Edinburgh Airport with US counterparts.

A decision to explore US pre-clearance is primarily a commercial decision for airport operators. An outline commercial agreement between the airport operator and US authorities would be required before any formal discussions between the UK and US government could take place.

What steps she is taking to help increase the use of green fuels in the transport system.

Our policies are reducing emissions from surface transport, primarily through supporting renewable fuel used in road transport. We are also supporting the production and use of sustainable aviation fuel with the SAF Mandate introduced in January, the Advanced Fuels Fund supporting UK producers, and a revenue certainty mechanism to help unlock investment in UK projects.

What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the need for amputee veterans to undertake capability assessments every two years.

The Government has not proposed to introduce two year assessments for any specific group. Currently, Work Capability Assessment re-assessments are prioritised for customers on Employment and Support Allowance and the health element of Universal Credit who report a change in their health condition. Routine department-led reassessments are scheduled according to expected prognosis length for recovery and subject to available assessment capacity. Individuals who have Limited Capability for Work- and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA), with the most severe and lifelong health conditions or disabilities, whose level of function means that they will always have LCWRA and are unlikely ever to be able to move into work, are not routinely reassessed. Our wide-ranging package of reforms to health and disability benefits, set out in the Pathways to Work Green Paper, will improve experiences of the system for those who need it. The functional impact and severity of a condition can significantly vary across individuals, which is why we will continue to ensure that those with the most severe, life-long health conditions, who will never be able to work, will not need to be reassessed.

Whether amputee veterans will need to undertake capacity reassessments ever two years as part of proposed welfare reforms.

The Government has not proposed to introduce two year assessments for any specific group. Currently, Work Capability Assessment re-assessments are prioritised for customers on Employment and Support Allowance and the health element of Universal Credit who report a change in their health condition. Routine department-led reassessments are scheduled according to expected prognosis length for recovery and subject to available assessment capacity. Individuals who have Limited Capability for Work- and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA), with the most severe and lifelong health conditions or disabilities, whose level of function means that they will always have LCWRA and are unlikely ever to be able to move into work, are not routinely reassessed. Our wide-ranging package of reforms to health and disability benefits, set out in the Pathways to Work Green Paper, will improve experiences of the system for those who need it. The functional impact and severity of a condition can significantly vary across individuals, which is why we will continue to ensure that those with the most severe, life-long health conditions, who will never be able to work, will not need to be reassessed.

Food and Rural Affairs, what the volume of trade is that is required to be processed through each additional border control post constructed in the UK as a result of the UK exiting the EU.

Defra does not hold information on what volumes of trade are required to be processed via individual border control posts due to the UK leaving the EU. The Government has worked with commercial ports to ensure that the infrastructure required to facilitate trade is in place, while also respecting the discretion of port operators and other stakeholders to make decisions on a commercial basis about the use of their infrastructure and facilities. Further information on which ports are designated as BCPs, is available on GOV.UK. Animals, animal products and HRFNAO imports: authorised border control posts in the UK - GOV.UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, what the cost was of each additional order border control post constructed in the UK as a result of the UK's departure from the EU.

Through the Port Infrastructure Fund (PIF), the Government provided grants totalling nearly £200 million to 41 ports to construct infrastructure required for import controls following the UK leaving the EU. Information on ports which received funding from the Ports Infrastructure Fund is available on GOV.UK: Port Infrastructure Fund - successful applicants - GOV.UK.

Whether he plans to meet with the South African Minister for Defence and Military Veterans.

We are actively engaged in enhancing bilateral defence ties with South Africa. The Defence Secretary looks forward to meeting his South African counterpart when the opportunity arises.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will provide a breakdown of (a) the type of freight and (b) its value processed at the border control post at Grangemouth.

Defra does not hold information on the value of freight going through Grangemouth BCP. The BCP is designated for the importation of products of animal origin (POAO), high risk food and feed not of animal origin (HRFFNAO), and plastic kitchenware. Further details are available on GOV.UK:Animals, animal products and HRFNAO imports: authorised border control posts in the UK - GOV.UK

When he last met the South African Minister of Defence and Military Veterans; and what issues were discussed at the meeting.

The UK has a strong bilateral defence relationship with the Republic of South Africa. The Secretary of State for Defence has yet to meet his South African counterpart, Minister Motshekga. However the Minister for the House of Lords, Lord Coaker, had the pleasure of meeting with Mr Holomisa, the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, in February 2025 where both parties spoke of the importance of the UK-Republic of South Africa Defence relationship.

Food and Rural Affairs, which additional border control posts have been constructed in the UK due to the UK's departure from the EU.

The following BCPs have been newly constructed since the UK left the EU: Dover Bastion, Harwich, Heysham, Holyhead (Welsh Government project), Liverpool 2, Newhaven, Poole, Portsmouth, Purfleet, Sevington, Tyne. Further information on the designation of ports is available on GOV.UK.Animals, animal products and HRFNAO imports: authorised border control posts in the UK - GOV.UK.

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies on support for veterans in the UK of the support provided to military veterans living in South Africa.

This Government continues to work to deepen our relations with our international partners, including on issues relating to veterans.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much freight has been processed at the border control post in Grangemouth in (a) tonnes and (b) GBP value since its creation.

Defra does not hold the volume of freight or the GBP value of freight that is processed at Grangemouth BCP due to commercial sensitivity.

What discussions he has had with the British Association of Dermatologists on the suitability of Severity of Alopecia Tool scores to determine treatment for alopecia.

There have been no discussions between the current health ministers in England and the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) on the suitability of the Severity of Alopecia Tool’s (SALT) scores to determine treatment for alopecia areata.However, we understand that BAD has acknowledged that whilst SALT is a helpful tool, it does not fully capture the overall impact of alopecia areata on an individual's life, including psychological distress and hair loss in other areas. Its 2024 living guideline for managing people with alopecia areata considers factors beyond scalp hair loss, such as other body hair loss, to assess the severity of alopecia areata.

On what age of patient health boards are advised to use Ritlecitinib to treat alopecia.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body that makes recommendations for the National Health Service in England on the use of new medicines, based on an assessment of clinical and cost effectiveness. The NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines recommended in NICE technology appraisal guidance, normally within three months of the publication of final guidance.The NICE issued guidance in March 2024 that recommends ritlecitinib, within its marketing authorisation, as an option for treating severe alopecia areata in people 12 years old and over. Whilst severity is not specifically defined in the guidance, the evidence submission by the medicine’s manufacturer defined ‘severe’ as a Severity of Alopecia Tool score of more than 50 out of 100. The guidance also acknowledges that living with severe alopecia areata can have a profound impact on psychosocial health. At the present time, there are no plans to update this guidance.As health is a devolved issue, information relating to guidance on the use of ritlecitinib in Scotland would be held by the Scottish health authorities.

What guidance his Department has issued to health boards on the prescription of Ritlecitinib to treat alopecia.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body that makes recommendations for the National Health Service in England on the use of new medicines, based on an assessment of clinical and cost effectiveness. The NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines recommended in NICE technology appraisal guidance, normally within three months of the publication of final guidance.The NICE issued guidance in March 2024 that recommends ritlecitinib, within its marketing authorisation, as an option for treating severe alopecia areata in people 12 years old and over. Whilst severity is not specifically defined in the guidance, the evidence submission by the medicine’s manufacturer defined ‘severe’ as a Severity of Alopecia Tool score of more than 50 out of 100. The guidance also acknowledges that living with severe alopecia areata can have a profound impact on psychosocial health. At the present time, there are no plans to update this guidance.As health is a devolved issue, information relating to guidance on the use of ritlecitinib in Scotland would be held by the Scottish health authorities.

Whether he plans to update guidance on the use of Ritlecitinib to treat alopecia.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body that makes recommendations for the National Health Service in England on the use of new medicines, based on an assessment of clinical and cost effectiveness. The NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines recommended in NICE technology appraisal guidance, normally within three months of the publication of final guidance.The NICE issued guidance in March 2024 that recommends ritlecitinib, within its marketing authorisation, as an option for treating severe alopecia areata in people 12 years old and over. Whilst severity is not specifically defined in the guidance, the evidence submission by the medicine’s manufacturer defined ‘severe’ as a Severity of Alopecia Tool score of more than 50 out of 100. The guidance also acknowledges that living with severe alopecia areata can have a profound impact on psychosocial health. At the present time, there are no plans to update this guidance.As health is a devolved issue, information relating to guidance on the use of ritlecitinib in Scotland would be held by the Scottish health authorities.

How many health boards have used Ritlecitinib to treat alopecia in the last 12 months.

The NHS Business Services Authority and NHS England only hold prescribing data for ritlecitinib in England. As health is a devolved issue, information relating to the use of ritlecitinib by Scottish health boards would be held by the Scottish health authorities.

What guidance his Department has issued to health boards on the factors that should be used to determine the severity of alopecia prior to a decision on treatment.

Healthcare is a devolved matter, and our response outlines information for England only. The Scottish Government is responsible for the activities and decisions of health boards in Scotland.We have made no assessment of the effectiveness of the Severity of Alopecia Tool’s (SALT) scores in determining the correct treatment of alopecia areata. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is responsible for issuing clinical guidance in England, including clinical guidelines on the treatment and care for specific conditions, as well as health technology assessments on new and existing medicines and technologies. It develops its guidance and recommendations independently from the Government, informed by scientific evidence, clinical expertise, and stakeholder input.Technology appraisal guidance published by the NICE in March 2024, code TA958, recommends ritlecitinib for treating severe alopecia areata in people aged 12 years old and over.Whilst severity is not specifically defined in the guidance, the evidence submission by the medicine’s manufacturer defined ‘severe’ as a SALT score of more than 50 out of 100. The guidance also acknowledges that living with severe alopecia areata can have a profound impact on psychosocial health.It is the responsibility of a clinician to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of their patient, while also ensuring they are taking account of appropriate national guidance on clinical effectiveness, as well as the local commissioning decisions of their respective integrated care boards in England.Responsible clinicians should work with their patients and decide on the course of treatment, with the provision of the most clinically appropriate care for the individual always being the primary consideration.