Written questions by Hollinrake.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of regulatory divergence between Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the EUBR's sustainability and hardware requirements; and what steps she is taking to ensure that such divergence does not create new non-tariff barriers for trade within the UK internal market.

Defra commissioned a research project to inform our ongoing assessment on the impacts of regulatory divergence between Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland on the EU Batteries Regulation. Defra is working with the Devolved Governments to review the UK’s producer responsibility legislation for batteries. As part of this review, my officials held a series of workshops with industry earlier this year to explore the impacts of regulatory alignment with the requirements of the EU Batteries Regulation in GB and will formally consult on proposals in due course. The EU Batteries Regulation applies directly in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the EU’s 2027 requirement that portable batteries in electronic appliances must be removable and replaceable by the end-user using commonly available tools on the implementation of the Tobacco and Vapes Act.

No assessment has been made on the potential impact of the EU Batteries Regulation on the implementation of the Tobacco and Vapes Act. We will continue to work with DHSC to identify any emerging impacts. Defra is working with the Devolved Governments to review the UK’s producer responsibility legislation for batteries. As part of this review, my officials held a series of workshops with industry earlier this year to explore the impacts of regulatory alignment with the requirements of the EU Batteries Regulation in Great Britain and will formally consult on proposals in due course. The EU Batteries Regulation applies directly in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.

What discussions she plans to have with the debt advice sector on the 5-year statutory review of the scheme.

The Debt Respite Scheme (‘the Breathing Space scheme’) was launched in May 2021 to give those in problem debt the space to engage with professional debt advice by providing a temporary relief from creditor enforcement action. Given the link between mental health and problem debt, the scheme also offers a separate entry route for eligible individuals receiving treatment for a mental health crisis. As is standard for schemes of this nature, HM Treasury will carry out a five-year post implementation review of the scheme to consider its objectives and impact. As part of this, HM Treasury is engaging closely with a range of stakeholders, including debt advice providers. The Government continues to monitor the Breathing Space scheme to ensure it remains an effective tool for individuals and has regular engagement with organisations closely involved in its operation.

How many project licence applications involving the use of dogs under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 were (a) withdrawn and (b) amended following feedback relating to the availability of non-animal alternative methods in each of the last five years.

The Home Office does not centrally record the number of applications withdrawn, nor amendments to project licence applications by reference to specific issues raised during or after assessment, including the availability of non‑animal alternative methods. The Regulator advises that withdrawn applications are very rare, while amendments to applications form a routine part of the assessment process.All applications are subject to multiple stages of review prior to submission to the Home Office, including the delivery of legal responsibilities of the applicant to the principles of replacement, scrutiny by an establishment’s Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body and sign off by the establishment licence holder. This means that proposals where non-animal alternatives are available will not be progressed for application.Applications may be amended and it is common for there to be at least one iteration of the original application before it can be granted. This would be based on discussions between the Regulator and the applicant and could be about any aspect of the licence. It is also common for amendments to be made to licences after they are granted.In 2024, 472 licences were granted and 905 amendments made (post grant). Data for 2025 will be published in the Animals in Science Regulation Unit’s annual report.

What estimate her Department has made of the number of proposed projects involving the use of dogs that are not progressed to licence application stage following review by Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Bodies due to the availability of non-animal alternative methods.

The Home Office has not made an estimate of the number of proposed projects involving dogs that do not proceed to licence application stage following review by Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Bodies (AWERBs) due to the availability of non-animal alternative methods.Project licence applicants are, in law, responsible for robustly considering the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement (the 3Rs) when developing proposals before submission to the establishment AWERB. AWERBs operate within establishments and are a further internal check on advising the establishment licence holder and other duty holders on the application of the principles of the 3Rs before any project licence application is submitted to the Home Office.

Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance her Department provides to businesses managing dual compliance requirements.

Defra is working closely with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the Office for Product Safety and Standards to develop new guidance relating to compliance with the EU Batteries Regulation in Northern Ireland. Webpages are kept up to date with the latest available guidance and information. Defra is working with the Devolved Governments to review the UK’s producer responsibility legislation for batteries. As part of this review, my officials held a series of workshops with industry earlier this year to explore the impacts of regulatory alignment with the requirements of the EU Batteries Regulation in Great Britain and will formally consult on proposals in due course. The EU Batteries Regulation applies directly in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the operational feasibility of retailers providing battery takeback services, particularly where products are sold through physical and online channels.

Under current producer responsibility legislation for batteries in Great Britain, retailers of portable batteries must already offer takeback services for waste portable batteries if they sell or supply 32kg or more of portable batteries per year. Retailers must have a collection point at their place of business; this applies to products sold in store and online. Defra is working with the Devolved Governments to review the UK’s producer responsibility legislation for batteries. As part of this review, my officials held a series of workshops with industry earlier this year to explore the impacts of regulatory alignment with the requirements of the EU Batteries Regulation in Great Britain and will formally consult on proposals in due course. The EU Batteries Regulation applies directly in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.

Pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2026 to Question 113783 on Cabinet Office: Reviews, whether the Propriety and Ethics team provided a substantive report on allegations made about the conduct of the former Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office.

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

Whether any (a) civil servant and (b) Minister (i) has occupied and (ii) is occupying any of the official Ministerial residences in Admiralty House since September 2025.

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

What information his Department holds on whether the former Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister backed up official Government information on his personal phones through the Apple iCloud service.

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

Whether HMRC has issued guidance on whether a donation of cryptocurrency to a (a) political party and (b) regulated donee creates a capital gains tax liability for the donor.

HMRC has not published specific guidance on the donation of cryptoassets to political parties or regulated donees.

Communities and Local Government, how much local authorities across England have raised through the pavement licensing scheme in each year since its inception.

Central government sets fee caps for pavement licenses and licenses are directly administered by local authorities. Central government does not collect information on how much revenue local authorities have raised.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 120381 on Lord Mandelson, whether the Chief Secretary to the Treasury discussed the exit payment with (a) the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and (b) 10 Downing Street.

I did not have any discussions with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office or 10 Downing Street on this issue.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2026 to Question 119948 on Cryptocurrencies, whether her Department holds information on whether the Tether cryptocurrency is being used to make political donations into the UK from abroad.

HMT Treasury does not collect or hold information on the use of specific cryptoassets in political donations. Oversight of political donations rests with the Electoral Commission.

Whether HMRC has issued guidance on whether the provision of advice on tax matters by an employer in relation to matters not connected to employment is a benefit in kind.

The general rules for employment-related benefits are set out in HMRC’s guidance at: www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/employment-income-manual/eim20020

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the regulations governing financial institutions handling Tether cryptocurrency.

The Government legislated in February of this year to establish a financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets, requiring firms to be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority for providing relevant cryptoasset services in or to the UK. This built on previous regulatory interventions on cryptoasset money laundering and financial promotions. The Government’s approach is ensuring cryptoasset users are protected against detriment, whilst giving firms the certainty needed to invest and grow in the UK.

Pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2026 to Question 113783 on Cabinet Office: Reviews, whether any staff involved with the Humble Address also undertook due diligence on Lord Mandelson.

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

What the time was for HMRC to determine whether to levy a penalty charge for the incorrect payment of residential stamp duty in the last 12 months.

Where HMRC identifies an inaccuracy during a compliance check into a Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) return or claim, it is standard practice to also consider whether a penalty is due.In the vast majority of cases any penalty will be issued at the conclusion of the compliance check, at the same time as when the tax position is decided.The length of a compliance check depends on multiple factors such as the technical complexity of the issue and whether a customer appeals a decision. HMRC does not record separately the amount of time within compliance checks spent considering whether penalties are due.

What estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of notifying pensioners of small upratings to the State Pension; and whether he has considered reducing the cost through alternative methods of communicating such changes.

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

Pursuant to the answer of 1 April 2026 to Question 120397 on Police: Elections, whether her Department collates and holds such contact details for each police force.

The Home Office remains firmly committed to protecting elected representatives and those standing for election.The Home Office does not routinely collate or hold contact details for individual police forces. MPs can access the contact details for their relevant Operation Bridger coordinator via ParliNet.In an emergency, elected representatives or candidates are advised to call 999 and reference Operation Bridger for MPs, or Operation Ford for locally elected representatives or those standing for local election.For non‑emergency incidents, reports should be made to the police via 101 or through the online reporting system, again referencing Operation Bridger or Operation Ford as appropriate. This ensures that the relevant Bridger coordinators and/or Ford officers are able to follow up on reported incidents.