Written questions by Lamont.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of import controls on horticulture businesses; and whether he plans to consider this impact in the context of proposals to amend plant health fees.

Defra’s approach has been to design a modern border with a simplified but effective system of biosecurity controls to contribute to economic growth, minimising friction at the border, administrative burden to traders, and additional costs to consumers while maintaining or improving biosecurity. Our import controls are a critical element of any biosecurity system. We also appreciate the importance of timeliness in imports. To this end checks at Border Control Posts are handled by trained staff working to standard operating procedures, ensuring inspections are undertaken safely and efficiently. The Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) plant health import inspection process is accredited to the ISO 17020 Inspection Standard which is subject to external audits from the UK Accreditation Service. Inspectors are rigorously trained and are equipped to ensure sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) goods are handled safely and with care. GB plant health services have significantly increased the number of plant health inspection staff to service the demand for import checks in England and Wales of EU plants and plant products. Inspector levels are being monitored to ensure these meet demand and deliver checks in line with set Service Level Agreements and ensure minimal trade disruption. We are committed to reducing barriers to trade and cutting red tape by striking a fair balance between industry and biosecurity and will seek to negotiate an agreement with the EU to achieve this. Our aim is to negotiate a SPS agreement with the EU which could help to cut red tape and costs at our borders whilst maintaining a high standard of safety and security for eligible imports entering the UK through the short straits. The Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) has been developed following extensive engagement with businesses across the UK, points of entry, enforcement agencies and with the Scottish and Welsh Devolved Governments. Defra continues to monitor and review the impact of the BTOM. We continue working closely with industry, trade partners and enforcement agencies to minimise disruption and costs to trade, while continuing to protect our biosecurity. The consultation on proposed increases to APHA plant health fees closed on 21 March 2025 and we are analysing the responses. We plan to respond to the consultation feedback in the spring.

If he will have discussions with the Scottish Government on the potential merits of banning first-cousin marriage in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK.

Scotland Office Ministers and officials regularly engage with counterparts in the Scottish Government on issues that matter to the people of Scotland. We are aware that all aspects of weddings, including first cousin marriage, are important issues. The Scottish Parliament has power to legislate in relation to marriages in Scotland.

What meetings he has had with Cabinet colleagues on increased Government defence spending in Scotland.

The Prime Minister has made it clear that we must strengthen our defence capabilities, which is why this Government has committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027.Scotland’s world-class defence industry is well-positioned to meet the growing demands for national security. This increase in defence spending will support highly skilled jobs and apprenticeships across the UK, including in Scotland.The new UK Government support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will include specific SME spending targets for defence.I recently had the pleasure of visiting JFD, a Scottish SME and world leader in underwater capabilities. This visit underscored our commitment to ensuring that these businesses benefit from the historic increase in defence spending. I am proud of Scotland's defence sector and will continue to advocate for the industry and its workforce.

What he last met with representatives of the Scottish farming sector in Scotland.

Supporting Scottish farmers and crofters is a priority for this Government and my department regularly engages with the industry at Ministerial and official levels. Most recently, Minister McNeill delivered a keynote speech at the National Farmers’ Union Scotland annual conference, where she announced that the Scotland Office would host a Food and Farming roundtable soon. Preparations for it are ongoing, in collaboration with the Scottish Government.Earlier that same week, Minister McNeill accompanied Home Office Minister Seema Malhotra on a visit to a farm in Aberdeenshire, accompanied by NFUS representatives. Prior to that she met with crofters' representatives in Stornoway.

When he last met with representatives of the Scottish seafood sector in Scotland.

Scotland Office Ministers regularly engage with a range of stakeholders from the sector. I spoke at a Seafood Scotland event in the House of Commons on 26 February. That same day, Minister McNeill met the Scottish Fisherman’s Federation as a follow up from a joint visit organised between her and Home Office Minister Seema Malhotra on 3 February, where they met a number of industry representatives and discussed issues such as access to labour at length.My department remains committed to continuing to engage with both the wild caught and aquaculture sectors to support the seafood industry in Scotland, and I continue to promote the sector around the world through my Brand Scotland work.

What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on infected blood compensation payments.

The UK Government is working closely with devolved governments and existing support schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Minister for the Cabinet Office met the Scottish Minister for Public Health on 3 March 2025 to discuss compensation payments for victims of the infected blood scandal, and he is committed to engaging further with the Scottish Government as we progress this work.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Scottish Government’s proposals to adopt Ultra High Frequency electronic identification technology for animals on farming in the rest of the UK.

Animal health and traceability policy is devolved. The Scottish Government has announced that it plans to adopt Ultra-High Frequency electronic identification (EID) in cattle. The UK and Welsh Governments have yet to make a decision on technology, whereas Northern Ireland would be required to use Low Frequency technology if the Northern Ireland Executive chooses to introduce EID, in accordance with the Windsor Framework.Work between Defra officials and counterparts in the devolved governments is ongoing to understand the potential impacts of divergence, including the impacts on industry, the internal market and international trade. The issue was discussed at the Inter-Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 27 January 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of Scottish Government research on Ultra High Frequency electronic identification technology in livestock.

The Government has yet to make a decision on which technology to adopt for electronic identification (EID) in cattle in England. To inform decision making, Defra is reviewing, testing and seeking feedback on the different EID technologies, including through examining Scottish Government research. In collaboration with the Welsh Government, we commissioned Harper Adams University to study the relative strengths and potential weaknesses of the two technologies under consideration. The findings of this study have now been published and can be found on Defra Science Search pages. As we develop our thinking, Defra has also been in close touch with industry through an independent group of 25 industry, government and academic specialists from across the livestock, equine and meat industry.

How many hotels in Scotland are being used to accommodate asylum seekers.

I refer the Hon Member to the Answer I gave on 3 February to Question UIN 26316.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much correspondence his Department has received from individuals making representations on proposed changes to (a) Agricultural Property Relief and (b) Business Property Relief for Inheritance Tax since October 2024.

The information requested is not held centrally.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many (a) letters, (b) emails and (c) other correspondence his Department has received supporting proposed changes to (i) Agricultural Property Relief and (ii) Business Property Relief for Inheritance Tax.

The information requested is not held centrally.

What discussions she has had with the National Farmers Union of Scotland on changes to Business Property Relief in the Autumn Budget 2024 since 30 October 2024.

The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms.The Government takes into account all representations, and HM Treasury officials and Ministers meet with stakeholders on a regular basis.

How many (a) letters, (b) emails and (c) other correspondence her Department has received supporting proposed changes to (i) Agricultural Property Relief and (ii) Business Property Relief for Inheritance Tax.

The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms.The Government takes into account all representations, and HM Treasury officials and Ministers meet with stakeholders on a regular basis.

How much correspondence her Department has received from individuals making representations on proposed changes to (a) Agricultural Property Relief and (b) Business Property Relief for Inheritance Tax since October 2024.

The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms.The Government takes into account all representations, and HM Treasury officials and Ministers meet with stakeholders on a regular basis.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to take legal advice on whether introducing an exception to copyright for text and data mining with an opt-out is consistent with the UK’s international obligations under the Berne Convention.

The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024.This consultation seeks views on proposals for a new regulatory model for text and data mining. These proposals are presented for feedback and discussion, and no decision has yet been taken on the final policy.As set out in the consultation “any proposals that we take forward will be implemented in line with our existing legal obligations, domestic and international. Relevant international treaties include the Berne Convention, Rome Convention, WCT, WPPT and TRIPS”.The consultation closes on 25 February.

What assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the impact of levels of taxation on people in Scotland.

The assessment that we have made is that the Honourable Gentleman's party crashed the economy and left the legacy of the highest tax burden on working people in 70 years and in Scotland that is even higher.The SNP Government’s own figures show that a Band 5 Nurse will pay more tax in Scotland than a nurse earning the same amount in England, meanwhile billions of pounds of taxpayer money has been wasted under the SNP.The previous Conservative government and current SNP government both share the belief that nurses, teachers and ordinary Scots should pay for their economic failures.We will provide economic stability and put more money in people’s pockets.

What assessment her Department of the potential impact of changes to employer national insurance contributions on Scotland’s retail sector.

A Tax Information and Impact Note that covers the employer NICs changes was published by HMRC on 13 November. The Government has protected the smallest businesses from the impact of the increase to Employer National Insurance by increasing the Employment ...

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on funding of the feasibility study for the extension of the Borders Railway.

Officials from my department remain in discussion on this matter with counterparts in the Department for Transport. The Department for Transport will continue to work with the Scotland Office, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Borders Council on th...

How often the Scottish Seafood Industry Action Group has met since 5 July 2024.

The Scottish Seafood Industry Action Group last met under the previous Government, in March 2024. This government recognises the vital role these industries play in ensuring coastal communities and the wider Scottish economy thrive. Since taking up office...

When the Scottish Seafood Industry Action Group will next meet.

The Scottish Seafood Industry Action Group last met under the previous Government, in March 2024. This government recognises the vital role these industries play in ensuring coastal communities and the wider Scottish economy thrive. Since taking up office...