Written questions by Wood.

Representing the House of Commons Commission, what was the (a) percentage and (b) cash term monetary change in average fees for the House of Commons nursery in (i) 2024-25 and (ii) 2025-26.

In May 2024, following benchmarking exercises against other similar nursery provision, and taking account of pay awards for the period 2023-2025, fees were increased by 10% for all users. The rise was the first since 2017. The Nursery is an important service to support Members, their staff and House staff.Assuming a 5 day a week usage, this saw a cash equivalent of increases of £127.84 a month for children under two years old, and £117.00 a month for children over two years old.In July 2025, a further increase of 3% was implemented.Assuming a 5 day a week usage, this saw a cash equivalent of increases of £42.5 a month for children under two years old, and £39.00 a month for children over two years old. 2023 Cost per month Increase (10%)2024 Cost per monthIncrease (3%)2025 Cost per monthUnder Two years£1,278.33£127.84£1,406.17£42.25£1,448.42Over Two£1,170.00£117.00£1,287.00£39.00£1,326.00

Representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question 52332 on House of Commons: Morning Star, what criteria the House uses to determine the number of copies ordered.

The Library takes one copy of each daily national newspaper which is made available in the Members’ Library. Additional copies of titles are only taken if Library staff determine there is sufficient demand. Newspaper orders, including numbers of copies, are reviewed annually to ensure they are still meeting Members’ needs.Further copies are placed in the Members’ Tea Room, Smoking Room, and Portcullis House Atrium, as previously requested by Members.In June 2025, the Administration Committee approved a review of newspaper provision in non-Library areas, to look at both quantities and locations of hard-copy newspapers. This will be completed by the House Service post summer recess.

With reference to the guidance entitled Civil Service 2024/2025 External Expenditure on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, published on 30 May 2025, what the Cross-Civil Service Pride funding was spent on; and which suppliers were used.

The £8,500 funding listed in the data published on 30 May 2025 was the maximum approved budget. The current spend is £7,395. This money supported staff to participate in a number of Pride events across the UK. Naming supplier organisations may breach commercial agreements between the department and suppliers. All purchasing followed Cabinet Office guidance appropriate to the level of spend.

What progress has been made on appointing the new Conservative political member for the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments.

The appointment of political members to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) is a decision for the Prime Minister following nomination from the relevant Party with a vacancy. A decision on the appointment of a Conservative member to the Committee will be confirmed as soon as possible.

Whether the National Security Adviser is (a) secretary of the National Security Council, (b) head of the National Security Secretariat and (c) Principal Accounting Officer for the Single Intelligence Account.

The role of secretary to the National Security Council is fulfilled by the Deputy National Security Advisers. The Executive Deputy National Security Adviser is the corporate head of the National Security Secretariat. The Cabinet Secretary is the Principal Accounting Officer for the Single Intelligence Account.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Prime Minister’s oral contribution of 4 June 2025, Official Report, Column 301, if he will provide evidential basis for his comment on China.

I refer the Hon Member to my answer given to PQ 61199.

With reference to the written ministerial statement of 19 June 2025, HCWS718, on House of Lords Appointments, whether the Prime Minister has a numerical target for the number of peerages that he will invite from HOLAC in each year of this Parliament.

As set out in the Prime Minister’s recent statement, the Prime Minister will continue to invite nominations from the House of Lords Appointments Commission for individuals to sit as Crossbench peers. Future appointments will be announced in the usual way. The number of nominations that HOLAC can make is a matter for the Prime Minister.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK to deliver on 5% NATO pledge as Government drives greater security for working people, published on 23 June 2025, what his Department's methodological definition of resilience and security spending is under the new 5 percent defence spending target.

The Government defines defence and national security spending in line with NATO's definition. NATO's definition of defence and security related expenditure includes areas such as strengthening the defence industrial base and our energy security, enhancing civil preparedness and resilience, and countering hybrid treats.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2025 to Question 62086 on King Charles III: Artworks, whether (a) the BBC and (b) Channel 4 took up the offer from the Cabinet Office of a free portrait of the King to place in their offices.

As eligible public institutions, both the BBC and Channel 4 placed orders for Official Portraits of His Majesty The King while the Government scheme was operational, for the purposes of display in their buildings.

Pursuant to the answers of 3 June 2025 to Question 53890 on Civil Servants: Media and Public Speaking, and 18 June 2025 to Question 59753 on Civil Servants: Media and Public Speaking, if he will publish the guidance issued to civil servants.

The Civil Service Management Code makes clear that civil servants “must clear in advance material for publication, broadcasts or other public discussion which draws on official information or experience.” As it has done for several years, the Government continues to approve public activity by civil servants on a case-by-case basis. Informal, internal guidance is available to support this decision-making process. There are no plans to publish this.

Whether TotalEnergies Gas & Power and its subsidiaries supply gas to 10 Downing Street; and what assessment he has made of whether TotalEnergies' LNG gas is sourced from Russia.

The UK has ended all imports of Russian fossil fuels in response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. This contract started under the previous government.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question 60822 on Public Buildings: Concrete, whether the Government Property Agency holds this information; and how many buildings in his Department have RAAC.

As at February 2024, there were three Government Property Agency (GPA) buildings with confirmed presence of RAAC. None have been identified post 1st January 2025. The GPA does not hold information on buildings across the wider public estate.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential costs of the Reform Party policy on the Britannia Card.

The OBR has certified that the non-dom reforms the Government have implemented will raise £33.8 billion in total revenue over the five-year forecast period. Abolishing these reforms would result in lost revenue that would need to be raised through higher taxation or cuts to spending on essential public services.As the Chancellor set out at the Spring Statement, the Government will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure that the new residence-based regime is internationally competitive and focused on attracting the best talent and investment to the UK.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the FCDO press release LGBTQIA+ Legal Guidebook launched in Philippines for Pride Month published on 23 June 2025, if he will publish the legal guidebook.

The LGBTQIA+ Legal Guidebook has been published online on the website of TrustLaw, the Thomson Reuters Foundation's global pro-bono legal network.

What estimate he has made of the amount the NHS spends on drugs imported from the US.

The Department has made no estimate of the amount the National Health Service spends on drugs imported from the United States. Published information from the Office for National Statistics on imports into the United Kingdom from the United States for all pharmaceutical products, including human blood, bandages, and wadding type goods, is available at the following link:https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/nationalaccounts/balanceofpayments/articles/uktradewiththeunitedstates2023/2023#:~:text=There%20were%20%C2%A37.8%20billion,chemicals%20from%20the%20United%20States The data included does not disaggregate NHS and non-NHS spending.

How much was billed by his Department to the Cabinet Office to reimburse the costs of providing fixed-wing air transport to the Prime Minister for domestic flights on aircraft registered under the marks (a) G-ZABH and (b) G-ZAHS since 4 July 2024.

It has been the practice of successive administrations not to publish granular information relating to the official movements of Ministers and those accompanying them within the United Kingdom. Information about official overseas travel is published as part of the Cabinet Office transparency returns and made available on the GOV.UK website.

Whether civil servants receiving London weighting have to work in an office within Greater London.

Decisions on pay, including London weighting, are delegated to individual departments for grades below the Senior Civil Service (SCS). The SCS pay framework is managed centrally and only operates a national pay range.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question HL7327 on Independent Office for Police Conduct, for what reason the Independent Office for Police Conduct continues to hold a paid membership of Stonewall, in the context of the cancellation of subscriptions by the (a) Home Office and (b) other departments.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is independent of the Home Office and other Departments.Subscriptions to third party organisations are for them to decide.

What his Department's planned timeline was for media engagement on the release of the Strategic Defence Review 2025.

For the launch of the Strategic Defence Review, the Government offered embargoed briefings to members of Defence staff and senior defence leaders, plus certain Parliamentarians, trade unions, businesses, allies, and the media. The media briefing began at 1030 on Monday 2 June, and was supported by Ministerial interviews with a range of media outlets.This is broadly consistent with the approach for previous defence reviews. At no point did stakeholders receive any commercially sensitive information ahead of publication.

Representing the Church Commissioners, what guidance the Church of England provides to clergy on the expression of gender-critical views.

The Church of England does not provide specific standalone guidance to clergy on the expression of gender-critical views.On complex issues the House of Bishops may from time to time publish guidance and advice for clergy, designed to inform local response. Two main publications that include detailed theological discussion relating to gender and sexuality are ‘Some Issues in Human Sexuality’ (2003), and ‘Issues in Human Sexuality’ (1991).More recent statements and pastoral guidance have updated the above, in particular:• 2005 House of Bishops statement on civil partnerships for same-sex couples, • 2014 pastoral guidance from the House of Bishops on civil same-sex marriage,• 2019 House of Bishops statement on civil marriage for all persons, • 2020 Living in Love and Faith book. These are all available to view or order on the Church of England websiteFollowing a vote of the General Synod in 2017 to welcome and affirm transgender people, the House of Bishops provided guidance in 2018 called ‘Pastoral Guidance for use in conjunction with the Affirmation of Baptismal Faith in the context of gender transition.’ Within Church of England schools, clergy and teachers are advised to align with the “Pastoral Principles”: www.churchofengland.org/about/general-synod/structure/house-bishops/pastoral-principles Guidance is also available in ‘Flourishing for All: Anti-bullying Guidance for Church of England Schools’ (updated April 2025): www.churchofengland.org/about/education-and-schools/education-publications/anti-bullying-guidance-church-england-schools