Written questions by Maguire.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of updating section 8.1.1 of her Department's guidance entitled MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles, updated on 11 August 2025, to make it mandatory for MOT test centres to assess for exhaust noise.

Excessive vehicle noise can be a serious disruption to people’s lives. This is why it is included in the MOT as an inspection of exhaust silencers and noise deafening material as well as a subjective assessment of excessive noise upon revving the vehicle. The MOT tester will fail the vehicle if they deem the exhaust noise is unreasonably above the level expected from a similar vehicle in average condition. The Department and the DVSA included a question about noise testing using decibel meters in a 2023 call for evidence about updating the MOT. Responses highlighted both the benefits of identifying excessively noisy vehicles and the difficulty of testing with decibel meters in a noisy garage environment.

How many refrigerator vehicles are currently used in the UK.

The Department for Transport does not hold this information.

How many e-bikes have been imported from China in (a) 2022, (b) 2023, (c) 2024 and (d) 2025.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of data on imports and exports of goods to and from the UK which includes data on imports of e-bikes. 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.Classification codes (according to the Harmonised System) are available to assist you in accessing published trade statistics data in the UK Global Tariff. Goods moving to and from the UK are identified by commodity codes. These are publicly available from the UK Trade Tariff at https://www.gov.uk/trade-tariff. E-bikes are classified within commodity codes 87116010 and 87116090. However, these commodity codes will also include similar types of electric transportation such as e-scooters.If you need help or support in constructing a table from the data on uktradeinfo, please contact uktradeinfo@hmrc.gov.uk.

What the UK’s cancer survival rate was in (a) 2021-2022, (b) 2022-2023, (c) 2023-2024 and (d) 2024-2025.

The most recent statistics for cancer survival are for cancer diagnosed from 2016 to 2020 and followed up to 2021. They can be found at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-survival-in-england/cancers-diagnosed-2016-to-2020-followed-up-to-2021Furthermore, the publication Cancer survival: Index for sub-Integrated Care Boards, 2005 to 2020 summarises the one-year cancer survival by sub-integrated care boards for all cancers combined from 2005 to 2020 and followed up to 2021. This publication is available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-survival-in-england/index-for-sub-integrated-care-boards-2005-to-2020The latest cancer survival statistics are due to be published on 13 November 2025. The published data will provide information on cancer survival in England for cancers diagnosed 2018 to 2022 and followed up to 2023.

What steps he is staking to increase survival rates amongst lung cancer patients.

We know that some cancers disproportionately impact those living in deprived areas, notably lung cancer. The Lung Cancer Screening Programme is designed to identify cancer at an earlier stage and is aimed at high-risk individuals or people with a history of smoking between the ages of 55 to 74 years old. The National Health Service is currently rolling out the National Lung Cancer Screening Programme to people with a history of smoking.Additionally, reducing inequalities is a key priority for the National Cancer Plan, which will look at the targeted improvements needed across different cancer types to reduce disparities in cancer survival. This includes looking at protected characteristics, such as ethnicity, as well as inequalities related to socioeconomic status, and geographic location.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the relationship between deprivation and lung cancer diagnosis.

We know that some cancers disproportionately impact those living in deprived areas, notably lung cancer. The Lung Cancer Screening Programme is designed to identify cancer at an earlier stage and is aimed at high-risk individuals or people with a history of smoking between the ages of 55 to 74 years old. The National Health Service is currently rolling out the National Lung Cancer Screening Programme to people with a history of smoking.Additionally, reducing inequalities is a key priority for the National Cancer Plan, which will look at the targeted improvements needed across different cancer types to reduce disparities in cancer survival. This includes looking at protected characteristics, such as ethnicity, as well as inequalities related to socioeconomic status, and geographic location.

How much and what proportion of UK emissions came from refrigerated transport in the latest period for which data is available.

The Government’s UK territorial greenhouse gas emissions statistics include emissions from refrigerated transport. However, not all of these emissions are identified separately as some are aggregated with other emissions. For example, emissions where refrigeration is powered by the main engine of a vehicle are included with other goods vehicles.Emissions are identifiable in two cases:emissions of fluorinated gases from refrigerated transport, which were 0.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2023 (0.1% of the UK total).emissions from fuel combustion in auxiliary engines powering refrigerated transport, which were 0.3 MtCO2e in 2023 (0.1% of the UK total).

How many concessionary bus journeys were available in (a) 2018-19, (b) 2023-24 and (c) 2024-25.

The Department publishes statistics on concessionary travel in England in the Concessionary Travel Statistics release, which are based on survey data collected from Travel Concession Authorities (TCAs). Concessionary travel relates to when eligible people travel on reduced (or free) fares. The latest concessionary travel statistics, including figures on concessionary bus passenger journeys in England for the year ending March 2019 to the year ending March 2024 for older and disabled people are provided in the table below: Table: Older and Disabled Concessionary Bus Journeys, millionsYear ending MarchEnglandEngland outside LondonLondonEnglish metropolitan areasEnglish non-metropolitan areas2019861592269226366202080255025220934020212701799276103202249132216912919320235703721981412312024604389215144245 More information can be found in the Department’s Concessionary Travel Statistics release, which is available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/concessionary-travel-statistics-year-ending-march-2024 The Department does not currently hold data separately for elderly and disabled concessionary passenger journeys. Data for the year ending March 2025 is not currently available but is scheduled for publication on GOV.UK on 26 November 2025.

How many concessionary bus journeys were taken by (a) elderly and (b) disabled people in (i) 2018-19, (ii) 2023-24 and (iii) 2024-25.

The Department publishes statistics on concessionary travel in England in the Concessionary Travel Statistics release, which are based on survey data collected from Travel Concession Authorities (TCAs). Concessionary travel relates to when eligible people travel on reduced (or free) fares. The latest concessionary travel statistics, including figures on concessionary bus passenger journeys in England for the year ending March 2019 to the year ending March 2024 for older and disabled people are provided in the table below: Table: Older and Disabled Concessionary Bus Journeys, millionsYear ending MarchEnglandEngland outside LondonLondonEnglish metropolitan areasEnglish non-metropolitan areas2019861592269226366202080255025220934020212701799276103202249132216912919320235703721981412312024604389215144245 More information can be found in the Department’s Concessionary Travel Statistics release, which is available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/concessionary-travel-statistics-year-ending-march-2024 The Department does not currently hold data separately for elderly and disabled concessionary passenger journeys. Data for the year ending March 2025 is not currently available but is scheduled for publication on GOV.UK on 26 November 2025.

What steps he is taking to increase awareness amongst (a) GPs and (b) NHS clinicians of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

A primary goal of the Complex Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) Service, which is commissioned by NHS England, is to educate clinicians about the diagnosis, investigation, and management of patients with complex and atypical forms of EDS. While the service focuses on rare types and accepts referrals from secondary and tertiary care, its development of guidelines and educational initiatives also benefits general practitioners (GPs), who are on the front line of patient care.Additionally, the Royal College of General Practitioners and Ehlers-Danlos Support UK have developed the EDS GP Toolkit, which is specifically designed to provide information and guidance to GPs.

How many e-scooters have been imported from China in (a) 2022, (b) 2023, (c) 2024 and (d) 2025.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of data on imports and exports of goods to and from the UK which includes data on imports of e-scooters. 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. Classification codes (according to the Harmonised System) are available to assist you in accessing published trade statistics data in the UK Global Tariff. Goods moving to and from the UK are identified by commodity codes. These are publicly available from the UK Trade Tariff at https://www.gov.uk/trade-tariff. E-scooters are classified within commodity codes 87116010 and 87116090. However, these commodity codes will also include similar types of electric transportation such as e-bikes. If you need help or support in constructing a table from the data on uktradeinfo, please contact uktradeinfo@hmrc.gov.uk

How many cancer drugs have been approved for use in (a) 2021-2022, (b) 2022-2023, (c) 2023-2024 and (d) 2024-2025.

The following table shows the number of cancer medicines that have been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in each of the last four full business years:YearNumber of recommendations2021/22362022/23362023/24282024/2537 The information provided includes all medicines recommended for routine use for some or all of the eligible patient population, and medicines recommended for managed access through the Cancer Drugs Fund.

How many people were admitted to A&E in England on weekends in (a) 2021-2022, (b) 2022-2023, (c) 2023-2024 and (d) 2024-2025.

The data is not available in the format requested. NHS England does not publish data on patients who were admitted to accident and emergency in England on weekends or after 5:00pm. The only data available is for patients seen within four hours and 12 hours.

What assessment she has made of trends in the level of concessionary bus journeys undertaken by (a) elderly and (b) disabled people.

The Department publishes statistics on concessionary travel in England in the Concessionary Travel Statistics release, which are based on survey data collected from Travel Concession Authorities (TCAs). Concessionary travel relates to when eligible people travel on reduced (or free) fares. The latest concessionary travel statistics, including figures on concessionary bus passenger journeys in England for the year ending March 2019 to the year ending March 2024 for older and disabled people are provided in the table below: Table: Older and Disabled Concessionary Bus Journeys, millionsYear ending MarchEnglandEngland outside LondonLondonEnglish metropolitan areasEnglish non-metropolitan areas2019861592269226366202080255025220934020212701799276103202249132216912919320235703721981412312024604389215144245 More information can be found in the Department’s Concessionary Travel Statistics release, which is available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/concessionary-travel-statistics-year-ending-march-2024 The Department does not currently hold data separately for elderly and disabled concessionary passenger journeys. Data for the year ending March 2025 is not currently available but is scheduled for publication on GOV.UK on 26 November 2025.

How many people were admitted to A&E in England after 5pm in (a) 2021-2022, (b) 2022-2023, (c) 2023-2024 and (d) 2024-2025.

The data is not available in the format requested. NHS England does not publish data on patients who were admitted to accident and emergency in England on weekends or after 5:00pm. The only data available is for patients seen within four hours and 12 hours.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of mandating zero-emission transport refrigeration units for refrigerated transport to replace diesel units.

The Department for Transport is working with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to develop an Off-Road Machinery Decarbonisation Strategy, the scope of which includes transport refrigeration units (TRUs). This strategy will set out how off-road machinery can further decarbonise while maintaining competitiveness, attracting investment, and supporting growth. Decisions on the long-term approach towards refrigerated units will be taken in the context of this strategy.

What steps he plans to take to improve the early detection of liver cancer as part of the forthcoming National Cancer Plan.

The early diagnosis of cancers, including liver cancer, is a key focus of the National Cancer Plan, in order to improve outcomes. The Department received over 11,000 responses to its call for evidence and has engaged extensively with patients, clinicians, and charities to help shape the plan’s priorities, including partners representing liver cancer charities.In addition, the National Health Service in England and public health partners are taking immediate action to improve the early diagnosis of liver cancer.The NHS and public health partners promote awareness of the risk factors and symptoms for liver disease and liver cancer, including through the early identification of hepatitis B and C and the management of underlying liver disease, to help reduce the risk of late diagnosis.The NHS England cancer programme is working to detect more hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) at an early stage, when the chances of survival are higher. This includes through Community Liver Health Checks and liver primary care case finding, to identify people with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis requiring HCC surveillance. NHS England is also expanding access to diagnostic tests, including imaging and pathology, through community diagnostic centres, which have now delivered more than 8.7 million tests, checks, and scans since July 2024.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of satellite debris falling to earth on the environment.

The UK Space Agency has led global research on the potential environmental impact of satellites burning up in Earth’s atmosphere (atmospheric ablation) through a set of short, complementary research studies. Initial outcomes conclude there is an impact of metals on the atmosphere, but further research is needed to fully identify knowledge gaps and provide a solid evidence base for decision-making.The Space Industry Act (2018) requires applicants for launch operator and spaceport licences to provide the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) with an assessment of the effects that launches of spacecraft are expected to have on the environment.The National Space Operations Centre monitors all trackable space objects and provides indicators and warnings of re-entry and projected paths, particularly where objects are expected to have sufficient mass and volume for some or all components to survive to the surface.

With reference to the Elective Recovery Plan, published on 6 January 2025, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of targeted measures to reduce gynaecology waiting list.

Tackling waiting lists is a key part of our Health Mission. We have exceeded our pledge to deliver an extra 2 million operations, scans, and appointments, having delivered 5.2 million additional appointments between July 2024 and June 2025. This marks a vital First Step to delivering on the commitment that 92% of patients will wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to consultant-led treatment – in line with the National Health Service constitutional standard – by March 2029.The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the productivity and reform efforts needed to return to the constitutional standard. Since our plan was published, we have seen improvements in gynaecology. Average waits have reduced from 15.9 weeks in January 2025 to 15.2 weeks in August 2025, and the number of patients waiting 18 weeks or less from referral to treatment has increased from 55.2% in January 2025 to 56.4% in August 2025. But we know there is still much more to do, and we will continue to support NHS trusts to deliver our targets through innovation, sharing best practice to increase productivity and efficiency, and ensuring the best value is delivered.The Elective Reform Plan also committed to piloting gynaecology pathways in community diagnostic centres (CDCs) as part of broader work to develop pathway improvements. So far over 200 pathway projects have been funded from the CDC Pathway Development Fund 2025/26, including gynaecology pathways.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of an increase in the use of satellites on GPS disruption.

Defence continually assesses the potential impacts of disruption to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), including the US Global Positioning System (GPS), on Defence activities. Defence is taking steps to bolster the resilience of our positioning, navigation and timing capabilities through technology fusion and increasing co-operation with relevant partners. This includes close engagement with the Department of Science Innovation and Technology and our allies to examine mitigations and alternatives across this field.