Written questions by McDonnell.

What steps her Department takes before issuing visas to former Pakistani military officers.

UK Visas and Immigration undertake a range of checks as part of the visa application process. These checks can include verifying the information provided by the applicant, assessing their eligibility against the relevant Immigration Rules, verifying supporting information and conducting interviews where required to assess an applicant’s credibility and carrying out checks on biographic and biometric information using a variety of different sources.

If he will take steps to establish the (a) hourly rate of pay and (b) annual hours of each seafarer grade at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

We are already working to redefine Terms and Conditions of service for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, including salaried obligations, is already underway. This work will inform a pay and reward strategy to enhance lived experience and optimise effective and efficient capability in line with the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review.

What proportion of Royal Navy tasking is currently being carried out by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

The Royal Navy (RN) and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) operate as an integrated maritime force. The RFA is a war fighting enabler that safeguards critical national infrastructure, afloat logistics, amphibious, and aviation facilities, and its contribution varies according to operational priorities and vessel availability. The Ministry of Defence does not record a proportion between RN and RFA for operational activity.

With reference to the current online Royal Navy recruitment campaign, how many merchant seafarers currently employed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary work a 3-month on, 3-month off schedule; and if he will make a statement.

The ability to opt-in to a reduced assignment length continues to be available to all Royal Fleet Auxiliary Seafarers. As of January 2026, 10% of permanent employees have chosen this schedule. The previous detail on the recruiting site suggesting this as the default crewing model has been removed.

If he will take steps to compare the contractual employment conditions of Royal Fleet Auxiliary seafarers with employment conditions of crew on outsourced MoD contracts for maritime services.

As part of the continued transformation of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s workforce framework in support of Defence operational needs, the Department continues to draw upon best practice across the maritime industry, proactively engaging with stakeholders to inform future policy.

What the current level of operational crewing is at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) maintains its vessels at the required safe-crewing levels to meet all operational commitments. Crewing requirements vary by ship class and operational tasking; however, all RFA vessels deployed on operations or held at readiness are crewed to the levels necessary to ensure safety, compliance, and effective delivery of defence outputs. The Ministry of Defence continues to monitor RFA workforce levels closely and is taking forward a range of measures to support recruitment, training, and retention across the service. For security reasons, detailed operational crewing figures are not disclosed.

What recent assessment he has made of the operational future of the (a) RFA Argus and (b) RFA Fort Victoria; and what the current status is of each vessel.

I refer the right hon. Member to the response I gave to Question 106973 on 26 January 2026 to the hon. Member for Gosport (Dame Caroline Dinenage). https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-20/106973

Whether the re-classification of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary as a Non-Standard Occupation Group has been completed.

Discussions are ongoing to define and implement Non-Standard Occupational Group status for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Defence remains focused on delivering a resilient and sustainable workforce for the future and recognising the unique contribution of its seafarers to the defence of this nation.

If he will provide an update on the commercial sale of the former RFA vessels (a) Wave Knight and (b) Wave Ruler.

A Sale Agreement for RFA WAVE RULER and RFA WAVE KNIGHT was signed in January 2026; Inocea Shipholding Ltd (ISL) has purchased the former RFA vessels and will be reactivating them for service. I am unable to release further detail of the Sale Agreement at this time.

If she will take steps to stop British citizens from travelling to France to participate in far right activities.

This government is bearing down on small boat crossings. We have stopped 40,000 crossing attempts since this Government came into office through our joint work with the French. We have detained and removed almost 50,000 people who were here illegally. Our pilot deal with the French means those who arrive on small boats are now being sent back.The entry and exit of citizens into/from the UK is the responsibility of border control/passenger Policy.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of the introduction of buffer zones around asylum accommodation.

The Home Office keeps the security of asylum accommodation sites under continual review, and the safety of asylum seekers and the local communities in which accommodation is located will always be our priority.While the Home Office recognises the merit in measures that help ensure safe access to accommodation, there are no clear powers within existing legislation that would enable the Secretary of State to create buffer zones around asylum accommodation. Local authorities may impose Public Spaces Protection Orders under section 59 of the Anti‑social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and the police have powers under section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, but these powers do not extend to the Secretary of State.The Home Office continues to work closely with police, security teams, local authorities and other partners to ensure all accommodation sites are managed safely and securely. These stakeholders regularly attend Multi‑Agency Forums to provide updates and address concerns, including issues relating to protests or public order.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department is monitoring far right activity by British citizens in France.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not have any specific remit in that regard.The UK government cooperates on a regular basis with our close ally and partner France on a range of security issues.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will have discussions with her counterpart in Pakistan about the abduction of Women in Balochistan.

The UK remains deeply concerned by reports of human rights abuses in Pakistan, including in Balochistan. Advocating for civil and political rights is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement with Pakistan. To that end, I raised human rights issues on several occasions with Pakistan's Interior and Human Rights Ministers and Deputy Prime Minister last year. Our High Commission in Islamabad also regularly engages on these issues with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels, as well as supporting a variety of UK-funded programmes promoting human rights in Pakistan. We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee the rights of all people in Pakistan in accordance with its constitution and international standards.

How many Motability scheme users use their vehicle to travel to work.

The information requested is not held by the Department.

What the cost of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty will be to the average Motability scheme user; and what equality impact assessment she has carried out on the differential impact on Motability scheme users.

As announced at Budget 2025, the Government is introducing Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) from April 2028, a new mileage charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, recognising that EVs contribute to congestion and wear and tear on the roads but pay no equivalent to fuel duty.eVED is designed to replace fuel duty for electric and plug-in hybrid cars. This means it will apply to cars driven by those who are wholly or partially exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), but where their petrol or diesel equivalents would be subject to fuel duty. This includes those who receive the mobility component of certain disability-related benefits (principally Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment). These groups will continue to receive the same VED exemptions as they do now but will not be exempt from eVED, as they are not exempt from fuel duty.As with petrol/diesel vehicles where fuel duty applies, eVED will also apply to cars that are leased. The leasing company will typically be responsible for paying eVED and can choose how to pass on to their customers.

What professional regulatory body will be responsible for proposed Immigration Adjudicators.

Further detail will be set out in due course, including the eligibility criteria and regulation of adjudicators.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether an impact assessment was carried before withdrawing Government Procurement Cards from staff working in the Forestry Commission.

The Cabinet Office required all Civil Service organisations to cancel or freeze all Government Procurement Cards (GPC) by 31 March 2025. In response, the Forestry Commission set up a review panel to assess which GPCs should be retained. A limited number of cards considered essential for operationally critical, health and safety, or legal compliance purposes were allowed to continue. All cardholders were notified of the decision regarding their GPC, and staff have been given guidance on alternative purchasing methods including using the travel management system, expense reimbursement, cash advances and other supplier contracts. This ensured that necessary operational activity could continue without disruption.

What estimate she has made of the cost to the Exchequer of exempting Motability vehicles from the introduction of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty from April 2028.

As announced at Budget 2025, the Government is introducing Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) from April 2028, a new mileage charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, recognising that EVs contribute to congestion and wear and tear on the roads but pay no equivalent to fuel duty.eVED is designed to replace fuel duty for electric and plug-in hybrid cars. This means it will apply to cars driven by those who are wholly or partially exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), but where their petrol or diesel equivalents would be subject to fuel duty. This includes those who receive the mobility component of certain disability-related benefits (principally Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment). These groups will continue to receive the same VED exemptions as they do now but will not be exempt from eVED, as they are not exempt from fuel duty.As with petrol/diesel vehicles where fuel duty applies, eVED will also apply to cars that are leased. The leasing company will typically be responsible for paying eVED and can choose how to pass on to their customers.

Food and Rural Affairs, what the estimated time is for staff working in the Forestry Commission to be reimbursed for the purchase of equipment, including Personal Protective Equipment, who do not have access to a Government Procurement Card.

Most purchases of equipment, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), are not paid for by individual employees. The Forestry Commission has existing PPE supply contracts that allow staff to order what they need, with costs invoiced directly to the organisation. New suppliers have been added to our systems where they have been identified. When bespoke or urgent PPE is required, nominated staff can still use a Government Procurement Card (GPC). If an employee without a GPC pays for essential time-critical PPE themselves, reimbursement times vary across the Commission depending on local systems. However, any expense claim that meets policy requirements, has the correct approvals, and includes receipts is processed either twice weekly or three times per month, depending on the business area payment system. A cash advance option is also available for staff who need or prefer upfront support for work-related expenses. Additional contracts to cover other small-scale purchases are currently being developed.

What proportion of the 815,000 people who use the Motability scheme will be impacted by one or more of the changes to the Motability scheme.

An Equality Impact Assessment including consideration of the impact on affected individuals was undertaken and published by HMT as part of the Autumn Budget and can be found here: Motability Scheme: reforming tax reliefs - GOV.UK. The Motability Scheme will continue to offer a choice of vehicles to meet a range of accessibility needs and vehicles which require no advance payment, meaning that people will be able to access a suitable vehicle using only their qualifying disability benefit.  Motability Foundation, the independent charity with responsibility for overseeing the Scheme, will continue to offer means-tested grants to support eligible people who would otherwise struggle to afford the advance payment or adaptations for a vehicle, or a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) through the Scheme.