Written questions by Wood.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 April 2025 to Question 45656 on Government Departments: Legal Opinion, for what reason the latest guidance removed the wording that in presenting such assessments, it is important to ensure negligible or discounted risks are not given undue weight.

It is evident that all professional advice should avoid placing undue emphasis on risks that are negligible.

For what reason the gov.uk Apply for a Blue Badge service asks for user's gender as (a) male, (b) female and (c) identify differently; and if he will ensure the Government Digital Service collects biological sex data.

This information is collected as part of the Blue Badge application process to ensure the application is handled sensitively and issue badges under the appropriate gender.The Government Digital Service (GDS) is tasked with transforming the provision of online public services, and is a matter for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

What the status is of his Department's Gender Identity and Intersex guidance; and whether his Department has currently operational guidance in this area.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Reigate on Tuesday 21 January 2025 (UIN 23677, tabled on 13 January 2025).

Whether guidance has been issued by the (a) Law Officers and (b) Government Legal Service on the (i) Venice Commission and (ii) Rule of Law Checklist since July 2024.

Since July 2024, no guidance has been issued in regard to the (i) Venice Commission or (ii) Rule of Law Checklist by the Law Officers or Government Legal Profession.

If he will publish the register of interests for the National Security Adviser.

Interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are published on an annual basis by the Cabinet Office. The 24/25 Publication of Relevant Special Adviser Interests can be found here.

With reference to the press release entitled UK to purchase F-35As and join NATO nuclear mission as Government steps up national security and delivers defence dividend, published on 24 June 2025, whether the new RAF plans will be equipped with (a) strategic or (b) tactical nuclear weapons.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 July 2025 to Question 67413 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge). https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-07-14/67413

With reference to the publication entitled Civil Service 2024/2025 External Expenditure on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, published on 30 May 2025, which suppliers were used to provide the Black History Month events.

The suppliers for the Ministry of Justice Black History Month events listed in the Civil Service 2024/2025 External Expenditure on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, published on 30 May 2025, were:Author Colin Douglas who spoke about the role of the Caribbean in the Second World WarHistorians Paul Obinna and Danny Thompson who are experts on black history.

With reference to the publication entitled Civil Service 2024/2025 External Expenditure on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, published on 30 May 2025, which suppliers were used to provide the Black History Month event.

The suppliers used for Black History Month were Eurest Services, for catering services that cost £69.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Syrian Ambassador on the suicide bombing in Damascus on 22 June 2025; and what diplomatic steps he is taking to help protect people practicing minority religions in Syria.

The UK strongly condemned the terrorist attack at Mar Elias Church, and remains committed to combatting terrorism. There is not currently a Syrian Ambassador to the UK, but during the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to Damascus, he expressed his condolences to President Al-Sharaa. He also underlined the importance of an inclusive political transition and protecting the rights of all Syrians, and offered the Syrian Government our support in achieving this. We continue to press the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence, protect human rights and hold those responsible to account.

Whether he plans to publish an annual written statement on charges incurred by Departments for the use of official government cars for Ministers.

The annual written statement on charges incurred by departments for the use of official government cars for Ministers ceased in 2018 under the previous administration. There are no plans to resume it.

If he will list the names of the six digital influencers who were funded by his Department to promote the Living Wage and Minimum Wage.

I refer the member to the answer I gave on 2nd July 2025 to question 62768 (Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament) and the answer I gave on 11th July to question 64918 (Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament).

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Civil Service 2024/2025 External Expenditure on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion of 30 May 2025, if he will list (a) the suppliers and (b) a breakdown of the expenditure related to the £3,779 of expenditure on (i) LGBT+ and (ii) Humanists’ Convention.

See below the suppliers and a breakdown on the expenditure requested:DescriptionSpendSupplierCarers UK Membership£2,500Carers UKRainbow Flag£350This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost to the departmentRainbow Pins£225This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost to the departmentCatering for Ramadan Event£400This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost to the departmentHolocaust Memorial Day event (train ticket for Speaker)£160Train Ticket Reimbursed to an External SpeakerHumanists Convention£144Humanists UK

What his planned timetable is for the review of NHS England guidance entitled Delivering same-sex accommodation; and what role he will play in the process.

The National Health Service is currently reviewing its ‘Delivering same-sex accommodation’ guidance and will ensure revised guidance reflects the Supreme Court ruling and is aligned with the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) statutory guidance when this becomes available.The EHRC is working at pace to develop a new statutory Code of Practice in light of the judgment. This will cover in detail the approach employers should take in relation to single-sex spaces to align with their legal obligations. All service providers, including the NHS, must comply with this Code of Practice.The EHRC recently closed their consultation for the new Statutory Code of Practice and are now processing the responses.In the meantime, I continue to expect NHS employers to act in line with their legal obligations, including applying the Equality Act 2010 in line with the Supreme Court’s judgment.

With reference to the Civil Service 2024/2025 External Expenditure on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, published on 30 May 2025, which suppliers were used to provide the LGBTi internal conference.

The LGBTI conference was a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) event, and the supplier used to provide venue services was Calder Conferences.Calder Conferences offers venue solutions for meetings, conferences, and other events, and works with various government departments.The CPS has a contract with Calder Conferences through the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Framework for Travel and Venue Solutions. This framework allows CPS to access venues for meetings and conferences as needed.The contract was signed in 2024 under the previous government for two years, with an option to extend for one additional year until February 2027, as is standard across government departments when contracting with conference suppliers. As standard, government contracts are routinely reviewed.

With reference to the FCDO press release entitled LGBTQIA+ Legal Guidebook launched in Philippines for Pride Month, published on 23 June 2025, whether her Department has a policy on the use of the phrase LGBTQIA+; and whether it has replaced (a) LGBT and (b) LGBT+.

The Office for Equality and Opportunity does not mandate the use of any particular acronym in reference to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works with a range of organisations globally to protect and promote the human rights of the most vulnerable communities. The Government uses LGBT+ in communications and publications, as these are widely recognised and understood.

Whether the Government Property Agency provides free tampons in (a) female and (b) male toilets.

The Government Property Agency (GPA) provides free tampons in female toilets at Birmingham, 23 Stephenson Street, Nottingham, Apex Court, London, 70 Whitehall and Coventry, Cheylesmore House. Tampons are not provided by the GPA in any male toilets.

If he will update the About us section of the National Security and Intelligence webpage on gov.uk.

The “about us” section of the National Security and Intelligence webpage will be updated shortly.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question HL8158 on Arm’s Length Bodies, what is the (a) purpose and (b) function of Project Seahorse.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers of 29 May 2025 to Question UIN 53535 and of 16 July 2025 to Question UIN 65871.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 60489 on Universities: Fees and Charges, whether young people from EU member states coming to the UK under the proposed UK-EU youth mobility scheme would pay international student fees.

We have agreed that we will work towards the establishment of a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU. Any scheme will be time-limited and capped, and we have also been clear that it should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes with countries like Australia and New Zealand. The primary purpose of a youth mobility scheme is cultural exchange and to give young people opportunities to experience life overseas on a temporary basis. We have not agreed to offer home fee status to EU students. Most new EU students who were not lawfully resident in the UK before the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 pay international fees.

Pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2025, to Question 53205, on Intelligence and Security Committee, whether the Prime Minister will meet with the Intelligence and Security Committee before the summer recess.

The Prime Minister met the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) on 14 July. The Prime Minister was pleased to have the opportunity to reset the relationship between the Government and the ISC, and discuss a range of important issues pertaining to national security and the Committee’s remit.