Written questions by Holden.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with the Venezuelan Government concerning the journalist Carlos Correa.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 14 July 2025 to Question 65220.

Pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2025, to Question 78720, on South West Railway: Nationalisation, whether the pubic purse is liable for potential (a) losses, (b) cost over-runs and (c) increases in costs.

Under public ownership, the Government takes on all revenue and cost risk. This has largely been the case since the pandemic too, when Government implemented emergency contractual arrangements which involved taking on all revenue and the vast majority of cost risk from the train operating companies – except now, the Government will not additionally be paying management or performance fees to private operators and, indirectly, their shareholders.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2025 to Question 87864 on Department for Transport: Electric Vehicles, whether he has had discussions with car manufacturers on the potential impact of the entry of electric vehicles from China into the UK market on the cost of new electric and petrol cars.

China plays a significant global role across the automotive sector, and this brings challenges and opportunities for the UK. We closely monitor how changes to trade flows and other issues impact UK manufacturers. While DBT Ministers, including the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, engage regularly with UK car manufacturers on a range of relevant issues, including on the entry of electric vehicles from China into the UK market, decisions on the cost of new vehicles are a commercial matter for individual companies.

What has been the average percentage annual change in rail fares in (a) absolute terms and (b) real terms in each of the last 30 years.

The Office of Rail and Road publish annual statistics measuring the change in prices charged by train operating companies to rail passengers, normally introduced in March of each year. Between 1995 and 2025 rail fares have risen a) in absolute terms by 196.6 per cent and b) in real terms by 10.3 per cent.

What meetings her Department have had with Sheffield Hallam University following recent reports of alleged academic intimidation at the university.

The department met with the university in October 2024 to understand more about the issues and offer support. Alleged foreign interference can present sensitive issues for institutions to navigate and there remain active enquiries into this matter, so it would not be appropriate to comment further on the specifics. We are clear that any attempt by a foreign state to intimidate or coerce universities will not be tolerated, and the government made this clear to Chinese officials after learning of this case.The department is working with the regulator to set clearer expectations around international risk management, as well as raising awareness and developing good practice on managing foreign interference risks. This includes a closed event we will be holding with Vice Chancellors to discuss the risks posed by foreign interference and signpost our plans to further increase the sector’s resilience.

If he will set out the current operational status of the Royal Navy’s surface fleet, including which (a) frigates and (b) destroyers are (i) ready for deployment, (ii) at sea, (iii) in refit, (iv) in extended maintenance, and (v) expected to be unavailable for operational tasking for more than six months.

For operational security reasons, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose elements of the Fleet's long-term schedule and readiness profiles. The Ministry of Defence continues to ensure that it has sufficient assets available to deliver our highest priority operational outputs. Currently the Royal Navy has 53 Surface Ships in service, at varying states of operational availability and readiness. The RFA has 10. It is important to see availability as a constant cycle as ships move through maintenance, training, and deployment and recovery phases, with around 50% of the fleet at high readiness or above at any one time. The Royal Navy continues to modernise its Fleet through careful management of a surface fleet transition plan to ensure the highest priority outputs are maintained through this decade and the next. We are replacing our Type 23 Frigates with eight of the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare ships, the Type 26 Frigates. They will be bolstered by five general purpose Type 31 Frigates, providing opportunity to project power, support NATO operations and influence on the global stage. More information on Readiness Days can be found here: Committees.parliament.uk/publications/49894/documents/267958/default/

If she will legislate to require all private tutors working with children to hold enhanced DBS clearance and be subject to formal safeguarding regulation.

The government is committed to safeguarding children across all education settings, including out-of-school settings, such as private tuition. All out-of-school settings, including tutors, have a legal duty of care to keep children safe and protect them from harm. To support this, the department has published guidance and free e-learning for providers, outlining the safeguarding standards we expect them to meet. We also offer guidance for parents and carers to help them make informed decisions when choosing providers. Whilst the department believes most out-of-School Settings offer enriching education in a safe environment, we want this to be true for all. That’s why the government held a Call for Evidence regarding sector safeguarding practices and invited views on approaches for further strengthening safeguarding, including potential regulation. This closed on 21 September and analysis is ongoing. We will respond in due course. The government has also just laid legislation, due to come into effect in January, which will enable self-employed people, including private tutors, to access enhanced DBS checks.

Pursuant to the answer of 19 September 2025, to Question 76656, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her polices of trade unions objections to staff scanning electronic tickets without additional payments.

Train operating companies are responsible for managing industrial relations with their workforces and trade unions. The Department engages regularly with all of its contracted train operating companies regarding their approach to industrial disputes, including regarding ticket scanning.

If he will list the current status of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) fleet, including which vessels are (a) in service, (b) operational, (c) laid up and (d) awaiting repair; and if he will set out the expected in-service dates for (i) replacement and (ii) new-build RFA vessels.

For operational security reasons, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose elements of the Fleet's long-term schedule and readiness profiles. The Ministry of Defence continues to ensure that it has sufficient assets available to deliver our highest priority operational outputs. Currently the Royal Navy has 53 Surface Ships in service, at varying states of operational availability and readiness. The RFA has 10. It is important to see availability as a constant cycle as ships move through maintenance, training, and deployment and recovery phases, with around 50% of the fleet at high readiness or above at any one time. The Royal Navy continues to modernise its Fleet through careful management of a surface fleet transition plan to ensure the highest priority outputs are maintained through this decade and the next. We are replacing our Type 23 Frigates with eight of the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare ships, the Type 26 Frigates. They will be bolstered by five general purpose Type 31 Frigates, providing opportunity to project power, support NATO operations and influence on the global stage. More information on Readiness Days can be found here: Committees.parliament.uk/publications/49894/documents/267958/default/

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of recent changes to the UK’s amphibious capability, including a) the decommissioning or reduced availability of amphibious platforms, b) the effect on the UK’s ability to conduct independent or NATO amphibious operations, and c) any change in doctrine arising from these reductions on the UK's military capabilities.

The Royal Marines and UK Commando Forces (UKCF) are being transformed through the Littoral Strike/Commando Force programme which is tailored to UK and NATO requirements. The decommissioning of amphibious platforms reflects a planned transition towards a new generation of amphibious capabilities. Our focus is on delivering these new capabilities which are currently being considered through the Defence Investment Plan, and we do not anticipate any impact on the planned operational programme of UKCF during this time. The UK retains the ability to conduct independent operations and our commitment to NATO remains unchanged. Recent adjustments to amphibious capability have not altered the UK's doctrinal commitment to amphibious operations.

Whether officers of the British Transport Police are permitted to take industrial action.

In line with all other police forces, it is unlawful for British Transport Police (BTP) officers to take strike action, as per Section 280 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (consolidation) Act 1992.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2025 to Question 85352 on Airports: Business Rates, what the rateable value is for each civil airport in England and Wales.

The VOA published the draft 2026 Rating List valuations on 26 November 2025; the compiled list will come into effect on 1 April 2026.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the level of readiness of the (a) Army and (b) RAF to respond to a high-intensity conflict, including (i) levels of critical munitions, (ii) levels of personnel and (iii) equipment availability rates.

The Armed Forces readiness is directed by the Armed Forces Plan, in which the Chief of the Defence Staff directs his Military Command Chiefs to hold a variety of Force Elements at varying levels of readiness. This readiness in aligned to our NATO Force Model along with our Sovereign defence and our ability to respond to crisis.Defence continues to focus on ensuring its readiness, including for a high-intensity conflict, in line with the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR). The SDR is already being implemented, and the Defence Investment Plan will further shape our priorities to ensure we can continue to meet the threats we face.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2025 to Question 88357 on Great British Railways, whether she plans for the consultation on the draft policy to be launched during the passage of the Railways Bill in the House of Commons or House of Lords.

As per the answer from 17 November 2025 to Question 88357, it is our intention for a consultation on a draft Access and Use Policy to be launched during Bill passage to support implementation of rail reform. No further details are available at this time.

If he will set out the (a) frigate and (b) destroyer refit programmes that have been (i) cancelled and (ii) deferred on grounds of cost since July 2024.

The Royal Navy constantly reviews maintenance and refit requirements across the fleet to achieve maximum availability of its platforms for operational tasking.No Type 45 refit programmes have been cancelled or deferred on the grounds of cost since July 2024.In November 2024, the Secretary of State for Defence announced that the Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland was to be retired due to the structural damage discovered during refit which rendered the vessel uneconomical to repair.

How many submarines have been unable to deploy due to maintenance overruns in each of the last five years; and what steps his Department is taking to reduce the potential impact of increased operational tempos on submarine availability.

The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Submarine Delivery Agency and industry partners to minimise maintenance overruns and ensure that submarine availability remains aligned with operations We are investing in infrastructure, work capacity and improved maintenance processes to mitigate the impact of increased operational tempos on the Fleet.

If he will publish a timeline for the introduction of (a) future frigate classes, (b) autonomous systems and drones, and (c) AUKUS-related submarine capabilities; and if he will set out which of these will be available before 2030.

Future capability plans for the Royal Navy are being considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan. However, the first of the Type 26 and Type 31 frigates are scheduled to be ready for operations by the end of the decade, with further uncrewed and autonomous systems scheduled to be introduced over the next five years. By 2030, AUKUS partners will establish a rotational SSN presence in Australia, embed advanced technologies through Pillar II, and build industrial and workforce capacity.

How many Royal Navy vessels are deployed in the Middle East, including the types of vessels deployed, for each of the last ten years for which the latest data is available; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of this presence given regional security threats.

The number of ships that have been deployed to the Middle East region (which includes the Gulf and the Eastern mediterranean) for the past ten years shown in the table below: Year20152016201720182019202020212022202320242025Number of Ships17141416131518118118 The number of deployments to the Middle East region will vary over time for many reasons, such as support for specific operations (for example, delivering humanitarian aid, non-combatant evacuation operations); changes to operating concepts and transiting through the region enroute to another area of operations. I am unable to provide specific detail on the type of vessels deployed to protect the operational security of the fleet. The Ministry of Defence keeps its force posture in the Middle East under continual review to safeguard the UK’s national security interests and operational requirements. We remain committed to working with our partners across the region.

Food and Rural Affairs, what enforcement powers are available when local authorities fail to meet minimum animal welfare standards.

In cases of local authorities’ failure to meet animal welfare standards, Defra retains the necessary powers and scope to intervene under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2025 to Question 77640 on Road Traffic Control: Oxford, whether the DVLA has received requests for access to vehicle registration data from (a) Oxfordshire County Council and (b) Oxford City Council in financial year 2024 to 2025 for the purposes of (i) congestion charging, (ii) traffic filters, (iii) zero-emission zone enforcement and (iv) moving traffic offences; and what the statutory authority is for each of those requests.

In 2024/2025 financial year, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) received requests for registered keeper information from a third-party service provider on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council in relation to zero-emissions zones and moving traffic offences. It is not possible to say if requests specifically relating to traffic filters have been received as they would be included in the category of moving traffic offences. The Oxford congestion charge came into effect in October 2025. Oxford City Council requested information, also through a third-party service provider, for off-street parking management only. Regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 allows the DVLA to make information about UK vehicles and their registered keepers available for use by a local authority for any purpose connected with the investigation of an offence. The same regulation also allows the DVLA to make information available to a local authority in England and Wales when it is acting as an enforcement authority within the meaning of Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004. These provisions apply to Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council.