Written questions by Stone.

In reference to Great British Energy – Nuclear’s large-scale nuclear siting study which includes Scottish sites, what nuclear technologies have been identified as suitable for deployment at Dounreay.

Awaiting answer.

What steps she is taking to help tackle strategic issues affecting domestic air travel, including (a) airport capacity and regional connectivity, (b) the resilience and availability of aircraft, (c) the regulation and integration of emerging aviation technologies and (d) operational challenges affecting Border Force at UK airports.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment they have made of the adequacy of insurance provision available to Community Councils and other volunteer‑run civic bodies, particularly regarding the availability of cover for defending Judicial Review proceedings.

Community Councils in Scotland are statutory bodies established under devolved Scottish legislation, and responsibility for their governance, funding arrangements and related guidance rests with the Scottish Government and Scottish local authorities. As these matters are devolved, my Department has not made any assessment of the adequacy of insurance provision for Community Councils in Scotland, including in relation to the costs of defending Judicial Review proceedings. The Department has not issued any guidance to local authorities in Scotland on these matters, nor does it have plans to develop pooled insurance, indemnity or shared-risk arrangements for Community Councils in Scotland.

Communities and Local Government, whether their Department intends to explore mechanisms, such as pooled schemes, indemnity funds, or shared‑risk arrangements, to ensure that Community Councils can access protection against high‑cost legal challenges, including Judicial Review.

Community Councils in Scotland are statutory bodies established under devolved Scottish legislation, and responsibility for their governance, funding arrangements and related guidance rests with the Scottish Government and Scottish local authorities. As these matters are devolved, my Department has not made any assessment of the adequacy of insurance provision for Community Councils in Scotland, including in relation to the costs of defending Judicial Review proceedings. The Department has not issued any guidance to local authorities in Scotland on these matters, nor does it have plans to develop pooled insurance, indemnity or shared-risk arrangements for Community Councils in Scotland.

Communities and Local Government, whether their Department has issued guidance to Local Authorities regarding the procurement or negotiation of insurance policies for Community Councils, specifically in relation to the exclusion of Judicial Review defence costs.

Community Councils in Scotland are statutory bodies established under devolved Scottish legislation, and responsibility for their governance, funding arrangements and related guidance rests with the Scottish Government and Scottish local authorities. As these matters are devolved, my Department has not made any assessment of the adequacy of insurance provision for Community Councils in Scotland, including in relation to the costs of defending Judicial Review proceedings. The Department has not issued any guidance to local authorities in Scotland on these matters, nor does it have plans to develop pooled insurance, indemnity or shared-risk arrangements for Community Councils in Scotland.

What assessment he has made of i) the levels of the ammonia production in the UK ii) the security of supply of imported ammonia and iii) the rising costs of fertilisers as a result of the US-Israel conflict with Iran.

The UK does not manufacture ammonia in significant volumes. CF Fertilisers made the commercial decision to switch to an import model of ammonia in 2022. Whilst there has been a significant increase in ammonia costs due to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf, there has been no assertion yet that supply is not secure.Recent market volatility has seen an increase in fertiliser prices, reflecting global conditions rather than any immediate supply disruption to the UK. The government is in close contact with domestic fertiliser suppliers and is monitoring overall supply and pricing in the UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her department is taking to ensure the Environment Agency has the necessary direction and resource to develop permitting guidance for novel low-carbon ammonia projects, to support their transition from R&D to commercial applications and accelerate decarbonisation.

Defra officials are closely engaging with the Environment Agency (EA) about the regulation of novel low-carbon ammonia technologies. EA colleagues are reviewing areas where further work is required to support permitting of these technologies and have been engaging with UK environmental regulators, expert groups and trade associations. Defra will continue to ensure EA work is appropriately resourced to develop guidance to give operators regulatory clarity while ensuring the environment and health are protected. Defra's recent consultation on modernising environmental permitting for industry also included a number of proposals aimed at supporting innovation and which would enable R&D in this sector. The Government response for this consultation will be published at the earliest opportunity.

What assessment he has made of the levels of imported ammonia required for munitions manufacturing.

Ammonia, an important precursor in the production of energetics and munitions, is one of many chemicals critical to defence manufacturing and, as such, supply levels are kept under review. The levels of ammonia required for munitions manufacturing differs between programmes. The fulfilment of those requirements is managed by Defence suppliers, and the MOD works closely with them to monitor and review national and international supply networks to ensure availability and manage risks to Defence outputs.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing revenue support for ammonia-to-power projects (a) under the Hydrogen to Production Business Model and (b) through a bespoke business model.

The Hydrogen Production Business Model provides revenue support to selected low carbon hydrogen producers who may sell that hydrogen for a variety of applications including as a feedstock for the production of ammonia. The Government’s Hydrogen to Power business model is currently focused on delivery of the first regional network where wider infrastructure is supporting hydrogen. We want to ensure integration into the wider hydrogen value chain to ensure the business model provides dispatchable power to the energy system. We will keep the eligibility of ammonia and other hydrogen derivates under review.

What estimate he has made of the near-term and long-term i) demand for and ii) supply of ammonia in the UK.

Ammonia can serve as an essential feedstock across a wide range of industrial applications and could support decarbonisation in hard-to-electrify transport sectors, such as maritime. Ammonia can also be used as a ‘hydrogen carrier’ to store, transport and trade hydrogen.However, the scale of future UK demand for ammonia is uncertain, with a key factor being the decarbonisation pathways chosen by sectors such as maritime. We will continue to review emerging evidence on UK supply and demand for ammonia and will consider the development of any further appropriate policy measures as needed.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications of low-carbon ammonia for UK energy security, in the context of rising natural gas prices linked to the US-Israel conflict with Iran.

The biggest threat to energy security for families and businesses in the UK is continued reliance on unstable fossil fuel markets. That is why we’re taking back control with clean, homegrown power to ensure our energy security, protect the British people and bring down bills for good. DESNZ officials are working across government and with industry to understand the role low carbon ammonia could play in the UK’s future energy security.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of low-carbon ammonia as a flexible energy store, including to provide seasonal energy storage and dispatchable power.

Government recognises that ammonia could play an important role for the transport, storage andtrade of hydrogen, especially for hydrogen users with limited access to networks. Ammonia based chemical storage for cracking hydrogen was assessed to have a low technology readiness and is not eligible for the first round of the Hydrogen Storage Business Model (HSBM), which will support large scale geological storage of hydrogen as part of the UK’s first regional hydrogen network, aimed at decarbonising industry and providing flexible power generation. Government continues to review developments and welcomes evidence from industry on ammonia.

Whether his Department intends to develop a standard for low carbon ammonia.

Ammonia can serve as an essential feedstock across a wide range of industrial applications and could support decarbonisation in hard-to-electrify transport sectors, such as maritime.  Ammonia can also be used as a ‘hydrogen carrier’ to store, transport and trade hydrogen.' We do not have plans currently to create a standard for ammonia, given our primary focus on hydrogen production. However, we will continue to review emerging evidence on UK supply and demand for ammonia and will consider the development of any further appropriate policy measures as needed.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of flexible and hybrid working arrangements on workforce participation, productivity, and retention, particularly for parents, carers, disabled workers, and employees facing long commutes or high transport costs.

The Government recognises that flexible working helps people achieve a better work life balance, which can lead to happier, healthier and more productive employees. Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working, can be particularly valuable for those with health conditions, caring responsibilities or significant travel-to-work requirements.The post-implementation review of the 2014 flexible working reforms, which can be found on Gov.uk website, considers how access to flexibility has supported labour market participation among groups who face barriers to entering and staying in work. The Government will continue to monitor the impacts of recent and upcoming reforms to the flexible working framework.

With reference to the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published on 20 May 2024, what information his Department holds on whether the use of haemophilia patients and their families for research has ceased.

Medical research was an important area examined in the inquiry, with it concluding that ‘the value of such research to society is enhanced rather than undermined by undertaking research in an ethical and moral way’.The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care.In January 2026, the NIHR published the attached report, From subject to participant and partner, on its website, summarising the concerns raised in the inquiry report, as well as a summary of the research governance changes since and a synthesis of an in-person workshop. The NIHR and partners who attended the workshop are committed to upholding the highest standards of research governance to drive better inclusivity in the evidence base for care, working with those who use, manage, or work in health and care services to share learning and drive improvement. The NIHR requires all applicants to demonstrate how their research will address existing inequalities in health and social care as a condition of funding.The NIHR was created in 2006, many decades after individuals received infected blood in the United Kingdom. The NIHR did not therefore fund any clinical trials or research where individuals received infected blood. The NIHR has strong ethical, safety, and legal governance arrangements, including processes to ensure informed consent for those participating in research, and includes parental and guardian consent for children involved in research.The NIHR funds a wide range of research relevant to the Infected Blood Inquiry. Work includes making blood donation and transfusion safer by improving transfusion practice, reducing variation in practice and ensuring greater resilience and efficiency throughout the blood supply chain.This includes research on improving the safety of blood transfusions and blood products, and research to improve better detection and treatments for blood borne infections, including through opt out testing in accident and emergency departments for HIV, and Hepatitis B and C.

With reference to the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published on 20 May 2024, whether any ongoing access to (a) patient notes, (b) tissue samples and (c) post‑mortem material is being carried out under (i) public health legislation and (ii) other regulatory powers.

Given the long-running nature of the infected blood scandal, not all medical records will still be available, and eligibility for compensation will be determined based on the balance of probabilities.The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) will try to get as much information, including medical records and information about an applicant’s condition, from organisations who already have this information. This should mean those claiming will be asked for the least amount of information possible.The IBCA will provide assistance to those who believe their medical records have been lost or destroyed. The role of the IBCA’s claim managers includes helping individuals who are claiming to gather information, including medical evidence where available, to support their claim.In July 2025, the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office wrote to the chairs of the Public Accounts and Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committees to set out the measures being taken to prioritise faster payments to victims of the infected blood scandal. One of these measures is to use the powers in the Victims and Prisoners Act to get records from the Infected Blood Inquiry, and using testimony to contribute to the assessment of proof of infection.Organisations that remove, store, and use human tissue for some types of health research, medical treatment, post-mortem examination, education and training, and for display in public, are independently regulated by the Human Tissue Authority.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of trends in the level of vehicle registrations sold at DVLA auctions being immediately resold for profit; what safeguards are in place to prevent speculative purchasing; and if she will consider restricting DVLA sales to individuals with a requirement that the purchased registration be assigned to a vehicle registered in the buyer’s name within a set period or otherwise returned.

The personalised registrations scheme has been operated by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) since 1989 and has raised more than £3 billion for HM Treasury. The scheme is operated in line with the law and established terms and conditions, with the primary purpose of maximising returns for the Exchequer. No specific assessment of trends relating to the immediate resale of registration numbers purchased from auctions has been carried out. Around 30 per cent of registration numbers are purchased by companies who trade in the resale of registration numbers. Registration number auctions are fair and transparent open market sales. Once a registration number has been purchased, the buyer has the legal right to display that registration number on a vehicle subject to the rules governing the conditions of transfer, retention and assignment of a registration number to a vehicle. There are no plans to restrict speculative purchasing or the subsequent resale of registration numbers as these activities are lawful and consistent with the nature of an open auction process. There are also no plans to restrict sales of registration numbers to individuals with a requirement that is assigned to a vehicle registered in the buyer’s name and within a set period of time or otherwise returned. Such a change would represent a significant departure from the current market-based approach and have a significant impact on a well-established number plate market, which includes small and medium enterprises and individuals who wish to sell the rights to their registration number.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to continue funding for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Africa; how she plans to uphold commitments under the Kigali Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases; and what steps she is taking to ensure that pharmaceutical drug donations for preventive chemotherapy programmes are utilised to protect communities from preventable and treatable diseases.

The UK has played a leading role on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and remains committed to tackling today's key global health challenges within the framework of a modern development partnership approach. The UK continues to invest in NTD research, including £3 million support to the Coalition for Operational Research on NTDs (COR-NTD) for research on Female Genital Schistosomiasis. We are also proud to provide up to £15 million to support the Eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis in Africa (ELFA) programme as part of the World Health Organisation 2030 NTD Road Map to prevent, control and eliminate NTDs by 2030. Announcements on future Official Development Assistance budgets will be made in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to maintain global leadership on neglected tropical diseases, including fulfilling commitments under the Kigali Declaration and supporting delivery of the WHO NTD Roadmap 2021–2030; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of reductions in Official Development Assistance on those commitments.

The UK has played a leading role on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and remains committed to tackling today's key global health challenges within the framework of a modern development partnership approach. The UK continues to invest in NTD research, including £3 million support to the Coalition for Operational Research on NTDs (COR-NTD) for research on Female Genital Schistosomiasis. We are also proud to provide up to £15 million to support the Eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis in Africa (ELFA) programme as part of the World Health Organisation 2030 NTD Road Map to prevent, control and eliminate NTDs by 2030. Announcements on future Official Development Assistance budgets will be made in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reductions in Official Development Assistance on global efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases; and what steps her Department is taking to mitigate risks identified by the World Health Organization.

The UK has played a leading role on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and remains committed to tackling today's key global health challenges within the framework of a modern development partnership approach. The UK continues to invest in NTD research, including £3 million support to the Coalition for Operational Research on NTDs (COR-NTD) for research on Female Genital Schistosomiasis. We are also proud to provide up to £15 million to support the Eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis in Africa (ELFA) programme as part of the World Health Organisation 2030 NTD Road Map to prevent, control and eliminate NTDs by 2030. Announcements on future Official Development Assistance budgets will be made in due course.