Written questions by Smith.

What assessments her Department has made on the potential impact the UK Emissions Trading Scheme maritime expansion will have on transport and supply chain costs to and from the Isle of Wight.

Awaiting answer.

What discussions she has had with Transport for London on delays arising from the introduction of new licensing software in 2025; what assessment she has made of the impact of the 2024 cyber incident on taxi and private hire licence processing times; how many drivers have received payments under Transport for London’s Goodwill Payment Scheme in 2026; and what the total value of payments made under that scheme has been.

The Department for Transport is responsible for setting the regulatory structure within which local licensing authorities in England license the taxi and private hire vehicle trades but ultimately the licensing process is left at the discretion of local authorities. We work closely with Transport for London on a range of issues but the operation of private hire driver licensing is a matter solely for them.The Department does not collect data on the processing times of licence applications but expects authorities to administer the system efficiently, including the processing of all applications when they have the necessary information. The Department’s best practice guidance to licensing authorities in England makes clear that taxi and private hire vehicle licensing is a statutory function, and it is important for authorities to consider how best to deliver this service in a timely and efficient manner.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact on fare revenue of the removal of cash payments on London Buses.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Pakistan; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

With reference to the answer of 24 April 2026 to Question 127159, whether DfTO will provide financial or in-kind support to the Railway Benefit Fund at levels comparable to those previously provided by Train Operating Companies.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to the Philippines; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

Awaiting answer.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Pakistan; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

Awaiting answer.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to the Philippines; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

Awaiting answer.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Oman; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether she assessed the potential merits of (a) conducting the engagements remotely and (b) combining the engagements with other travel.

Awaiting answer.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 120039, (a) what the purpose was of each flight to Maldives; (b) which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; (c) how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; (d) what the cost was of each visit; and (e) whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (i) conducted remotely and (ii) combined with other travel.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Brazil; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether she assessed the potential merits of (a) conducting the engagements remotely and (b) combining the engagements with other travel.

Awaiting answer.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Qatar; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether she assessed the potential merits of (a) conducting the engagements remotely and (b) combining the engagements with other travel.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what her Department’s policy is on the acceptable duration of pre-trial detention for citizens of the United Kingdom who are detained overseas.

Where a British national raises fair trial concerns, including undue delay, we formulate our response on a case-by-case basis. Where a British detainee gives their consent for us to do so, we will raise fair trial or other concerns with the local authorities where appropriate.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to question UIN 122285, on which dates the two conversations between Minister Doughty and his Turkish counterpart took place; and on which date their next conversation about the protection of Iain Guille's rights under the law is due to take place.

I discussed Iain Guille's detention and welfare with my Turkish counterpart on 17 December 2025 and 3 February 2026, and I am continuing to follow the case closely. Consular officials are also monitoring Mr Guille's situation and providing support to his family as appropriate.

What steps she is taking following the trial of higher parking penalty charge notices in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council in August 2025.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has published a report on their month‑long trial of higher PCNs. The Department is reviewing the findings of this trial.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether DEFRA has established whether Equal Experts, in conducting the BNG Metric Tool Discovery phase under contract C24064, accessed software products developed by private sector BNG technology companies without those companies' knowledge or consent; and whether her Department has asked this question of Equal Experts in writing.

The statutory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) metric is a Government‑owned tool and is currently only available to users in spreadsheet format. The existing tool has well‑recognised issues relating to accessibility, usability, and data integrity, which the Government's digitisation project will address. Contract C24064 is for Application Development Services and provides digital specialist support and programme delivery capability. The Discovery phase of the BNG metric digitisation project explored a wide range of user needs and potential options and does not represent a delivery commitment. Discovery reports are not routinely published but can be made available on request. Defra first became aware of written representations from private sector companies alleging procedural irregularities in the BNG metric digitisation procurement on 4 March 2026. Checks were undertaken to make sure the work is following due process. User research activities conducted during the Discovery phase were reviewed and found to be compliant with Government standards for research, and therefore further advice has not been sought. We are keen to work with private sector BNG technology providers to ensure digitisation of the BNG metric is a success.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 March 2026 to Question 122220, what the total cost is of mobilising the new sponsorship model and team referred to in that Answer.

There has been no additional cost to the public purse in establishing the new DFTO sponsorship model and team. The team was formed by redeploying existing staff.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 March 2026 to Question 123516, whether her Department plans to begin holding data on average or individual replacement battery costs for electric vehicles.

The Department has no plans to collect and hold the data on average or individual replacement battery costs for EVs, but will closely monitor this issue through continued engagement with industry and consumer groups. The Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate regulations require manufacturers to provide a warranty of 8 years or 100,000 miles on EV batteries. During the warranty period, if battery capacity drops below 70% for cars or 65% for vans, the manufacturer must provide a replacement battery. Additionally, eligibility for the Government’s Electric Car Grant requires manufacturers to offer customers a 2-year extension on the warranty to 10 years, ensuring vehicles and their batteries have long useable lives.

What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the level of parking penalty charge notices in deterring nuisance parking.

The British Parking Association, the Local Government Association and other key stakeholders have been collaborating to gather comprehensive evidence on the effectiveness of current PCN levels in England outside London. Their findings and recommendations have been submitted to the Department for Transport which will be carefully considered before any decisions are taken.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 March 2026 to Question 123517 on Electric Vehicles: Costs, when her Department expects to conclude its exploration of regulatory options on battery state of health information; and whether she plans to lay proposals before the House.

On 13 April 2026, the Department launched a public consultation on updating the minimum emission standards for new road vehicles to Euro 7. As part of these proposals, manufacturers would be required to fit electric vehicles with accurate, accessible and comparable battery health monitors. The consultation will remain open until 25 May 2026. The Government is seeking views on these proposals through that consultation. No final decisions have been taken. Should the proposals be taken forward, they would be laid before the House.