Every parliamentary written question tabled by Graeme Downie this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 301–320 of 386 · this parliament
How many docks will be required to hold Dreadnought submarines by 2035.
There is a strategy in place to upgrade infrastructure and provide suitable docking for the new Dreadnought Class submarines across existing UK naval bases and dockyards. For operational security reasons further details cannot be released as to do so could be used to undermine the security and capability of our Armed Forces.
When he last held discussions with the (a) Scottish Government and (b) (i) further and (ii) higher education sector in Scotland to encourage the effective supply of skills for the defence industrial sector from Scotland.
This Government recognises the critical importance of attracting new entrants into the defence sector in order to ensure we have the skilled workforce needed to sustain a vibrant, innovative and competitive defence industrial base. While discussions with the Scottish Government and education establishments in Scotland have not been held by the Secretary of State for Defence, the Ministry of Defence welcomes engagement and consultation with stakeholders across the United Kingdom to ensure our defence sector has the right people and skills to meet the challenges of the future.
When he plans to announce the next stages of the Type 83 Destroyer programme.
The next stage of the Type 83 Destroyer programme, which is one element of the Future Air Dominance System (FADS) programme, will be announced following the completion of the Strategic Defence Review.
If his Department will conduct an investigation of the potential national security threats posed by Chinese-made connected vehicles.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes the security of defence assets and people very seriously, and has been working with other Government Departments to investigate any potential threats to national security and to ensure that policies and procedures take account of the potential threats from all types of vehicle, not just those made in China. Best practice guidance has been issued to staff clarifying appropriate behaviour for all drivers and passengers in vehicles to protect them from potential threats. The MOD is keeping this policy area under review.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential security risk posed by Chinese-made electric vehicles being used by (a) senior officers and (b) other security officials.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes the security of defence assets and people very seriously, and has been working with other Government Departments to investigate any potential threats to national security and to ensure that policies and procedures take account of the potential threats from all types of vehicle, not just those made in China. Best practice guidance has been issued to staff clarifying appropriate behaviour for all drivers and passengers in vehicles to protect them from potential threats. The MOD is keeping this policy area under review.
What assessmenhis Department has made of the (a) prevalence of and (b) security risks posed by Chinese-manufactured technology used in UK defence procurement and supply chains.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) welcomes foreign trade where it allows us to provide our Armed Forces with the equipment they require, meets our stringent legal and regulatory requirements and does not compromise our national security.Transactions continue to be monitored where there are potential national security concerns from any country, and the Department will investigate and apply appropriate mitigations where required. Furthermore, the MOD regularly reviews its critical supply chains to identify and mitigate risks to defence capability.
How many Chinese made electric vehicles were imported into the UK in (a) 2023 and (b) 2024.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of data on imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC releases this information monthly, as an accredited Official Statistic called the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics (OTS), which is available via their dedicated website (www.uktradeinfo.com). From this website, it is possible to build your own data tables based upon bespoke search criteria.These tables include country of dispatch (CoD) which gives information on the country of export. If specifically wanting information on country of manufacture/ country of origin (CoO) this is available in the bulk datasets archive. The data available includes value and number of imports. To build a table you will need to use a commodity code. These are publicly available from the UK Trade Tariff at https://www.gov.uk/trade-tariff. From the information given, electric vehicles would come under Chapter 87.If you need help or support in constructing a table from the data on uktradeinfo, please contact uktradeinfo@hmrc.gov.uk.
If his Department will restrict Chinese-manufactured components in the UK’s energy infrastructure projects.
We take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must. As an open economy, we welcome foreign trade and investment where it supports growth and jobs in the UK and meets our legal and regulatory requirements. We work closely with industry to build secure supply chains and back UK businesses. The government has also established Great British Energy to drive forward greater investment in clean, home-grown energy production and to build supply chains across the UK.
What assessment his Department has made of the security risks posed by the use of Chinese-manufactured technology in (a) smart grids, (b) renewable energy systems and (c) the UK’s energy infrastructure.
The Department collaborates with other government departments, agencies and industry partners to understand and mitigate threats to energy infrastructure, setting robust regulatory standards for cyber through the Network and Information Systems Regulations. This includes working with regulators to ensure these regulations cover critical operators as the sector evolves. Recognising the importance of renewable and smart energy systems for flexibility and decarbonisation, the department is working to ensure the system is developed in a way that is secure by design, and protects energy supply, infrastructure and consumers. As part of this work, Government has published two consultation packages which sets out proposals for minimum security and grid stability requirements, including for organisations remotely controlling electrical load.
Whether his Department has made an assessment of whether the Procurement Act includes adequate measures to limit the procurement of Chinese-made cellular IoT modules in UK critical national infrastructure.
The Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February this year, introduces new powers to exclude, terminate or debar suppliers from public sector supply chains on a variety of grounds. In line with the Act, the Government will operate the new powers on a country-agnostic basis, with each supplier and type of technology examined individually. We remain committed to protecting our critical national infrastructure and will continue to keep under review the risks associated with internet-facing technologies and components on an ongoing basis, both where they fall in scope of the Procurement Act and through other levers.
Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to support coalfield communities.
This government’s defining mission is growth, and we are determined that our coalfield communities are central to it. At budget we committed to retaining and reforming the Long-Term Plan for Towns, and I am proud that this will continue to support coalfield communities from Jarrow to Wrexham.
Whether the National Institute for Health and Care Research has undertaken research on the potential impact of psychedelic medication on the treatment of severe mental health conditions.
The Department commissions research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR is supporting psilocybin research via the NIHR King’s Clinical Research Facility and the NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, where researchers are developing and evaluating the efficacy and safety of psilocybin therapy for use in the National Health Service and other healthcare settings. The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including research on the potential impact of psychedelic substances for the treatment of severe mental health conditions.
What guidance exists to define (a) sunk", (b) stranded and (c) abandoned vessels for the under the terms of s.252 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
Guidance can be found here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wreck-and-salvage-law. Local port acts may contain additional definitions that may vary from act to act.
What guidance her Department provides to define (a) stranded, (b) stranded and (c) abandoned vessels under section 252 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
The gov.uk website provides a definition of abandoned when discussing derelict vessels. Guidance is available on Wreck and salvage law - GOV.UK and port association websites.
If he will published updated guidance to define (a) sunk, (b) stranded and (c) abandoned vessels for the under the terms of s.252 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
At present there is no evidence that the department has received that suggests that the definitions require updating. The department keeps all of its guidance under review and should there be a need to, updates guidance accordingly.
If she will hold discussions with her counterpart in the Scottish Government on compelling the removal of derelict small boats in Scottish harbours.
While DFT keeps in regular contact with our counterparts in Transport Scotland, Ports policy is devolved and any issues regarding Scottish ports and harbours would be for colleagues at Transport Scotland and the relevant Scottish minister to oversee. DfT has not been made aware that there is a substantial issue around derelict small boats in Scottish harbours, either by Scottish authorities during our regular engagement or members of the public. The department would of course welcome a meeting with the relevant Scottish authorities if they felt there was a need to do so.
What estimate her Department has made of the number of fraudulent claims there were for the Personal Independence Payment in each (a) nation and (b) region in each of the last five years.
We publish annual estimates of fraud and error levels in the benefit system in Great Britain, however as these figures are produced using sample data, they are not available below the national level.
Pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 21725 on Ukraine: Humanitarian Aid, when he plans to make a decision on future funding for MOAS frontline medical evacuation services in Ukraine.
We have engaged with Defence staff in Kyiv and the Ukrainian Embassy in London and it does not appear that this is a prioritised and supported request from the Ukrainian Government. While we recognise the important work the charity undertakes in-country we are unable to meet MOAS' request.I regret the disappointment this will cause for the charity and the staff in Ukraine and recognise the impact this will have on MOAS' ability to continue to provide this capability. However, we must be led by the needs of the Ukrainian Government and ensure that UK taxpayers' money is appropriately allocated where Ukraine deems the need is greatest.
What support her Department provides to its employees that are kinship carers.
The potential support the Department for Work and Pensions provides to its employees that are kinship carers are, according to each person’s needs, a combination of flexi hours, flexible working patterns, special leave, adjusted duties and a carers’ passport to ensure that effective support can be transported when employees change jobs within DWP. Our employee assistance programme also offers wider support, which includes employee counselling, critical incident and bereavement support and legal/finance advice and signposting.
When her Department last reviewed its policy on supporting its employees that are kinship carers.
DWP reviews the support it gives to carers in its workforce, including kinship carers, on an ongoing basis across a range of relevant HR policies. DWP last reviewed its policy on supporting its employees that are kinship carers, specifically in respect of time off work, in March 2024.