Written questions by Swann.

If he will publish a summary of the work completed by Intertrade UK since its appointment.

The Terms of Reference and Work Programme for Intertrade UK were published online on 26 August 2025. The body is now focused on implementing its work programme, which is based on three priorities: overcoming barriers to trade, promoting UK internal market opportunities and enhancing infrastructure and connectivity.

If he will publish a summary of the work completed by the Windsor Framework Independent Monitoring Panel which he appointed last year.

It is for the Independent Monitoring Panel to determine how they conduct their work and then to report to Government. The Panel’s first monitoring period ended on 30 June and the Government expects to receive their first report in due course. The Government will then publish it in accordance with its commitment to do so.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he is taking steps to introduce Equine Establishment Numbers for (a) horse and (b) other equine-based establishments.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only. The SPS agreement, outlined at the UK-EU Leader’s Summit on 19 May 2025, will establish a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, aimed at facilitating the safe and efficient movement of trade. The SPS Agreement will cover sanitary rules and the regulation of live animals, including animal health conditions governing the movement and importation of Equidae. The SPS Agreement is built on a commitment for the UK to regulate consistently with the EU on specific SPS rules. Defra is currently working to establish what implementation of the SPS Agreement will involve for equines.

When his Department will launch the consultation on Hughs Law.

A public consultation on further support for parents of seriously ill children, including Hugh's Law, will take place during 2026.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the (a) Chief Commissioner and (b) Commissioner of Investigations of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Recovery.

A growing number of families are taking cases to the independent Commission and the Government has confidence in its team of dedicated staff to effectively deliver for them. The Court of Appeal has recognised the Commission’s structural independence and wide powers. The confidence of families in the Commission’s work is paramount and that is why this Government is in the process of repealing and replacing the previous Government's Legacy Act, and is committed to reforming the Commission to further strengthen its powers and independence.

How many companies with addresses in Northern Ireland have been removed from the Companies House register in the last year by the National Economic Crime Centre.

The National Economic Crime Centre does not remove companies from the Registers of Companies. This is a function of the Registrars of Companies. During the most recent period for which published figures are available (April 2024 to March 2025), 10,096 companies were struck off the Register of Companies for Northern Ireland and dissolved. These statistics are available from Table A9 of the Companies Register Activities: Statistical Release April 2024 to March 2025. This can be accessed at the address below: Companies register activities: statistical release April 2024 to March 2025 - GOV.UK

Pursuant the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 62482, when he received the review of post-Brexit trading arrangements.

Lord Murphy provided the final report of the Independent Review on 9 July 2025, in line with the Terms of Reference for the Review.

When his Department plans to publish a response to the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework.

As set out in domestic law, the Government must publish a written response to any recommendations made by the Independent Review’s report no later than six months after receiving said report.

How much funding his Department allocated for cadet services in (a) each of the last three financial years, (b) the 2025-26 financial year and (c) the 2026-27 financial year.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 May 2025 to Question 55117 to the hon. Member for Fylde (Mr Andrew Snowden).

What assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of border control posts in Scotland on levels of trade between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

I know the Honourable Member will share my firm desire not to see borders erected between the different nations of our United Kingdom. We have been clear that there will be no border control posts at Cairnryan. The UK Government is unequivocal in its commitment to ensuring unfettered access for Northern Ireland’s goods to the rest of the UK internal market and in coming weeks, as I advised the House at a previous Scottish oral questions, I will be meeting with NIO counterparts in coming weeks to discuss what more we can do to promote Scotland-NI trade.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his oral statement of 24 June 2025, Official Report, column 989, on China Audit, which (a) Northern Ireland Executive departments, (b) arms' length bodies in Northern Ireland and (c) Universities in Northern Ireland made a submission to that audit.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office China Audit team proactively engaged a wide range of stakeholders to ensure that the full range of interests arising from the UK's relationship with China was represented; this included Parliament, business, the academic sector, civil society and the devolved governments.

When the border control facility at Parc Cybi will be (a) completed and (b) opened.

Decisions regarding the Border Control Post at Parc Cybi are a matter for the Welsh Government.

When he plans to publish the report from the independent review of the post-Brexit trading arrangements, conducted by Lord Paul Murphy.

It remains for Lord Murphy to provide the final report of the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework. The Government will then proceed with arranging the publication of that report, laying it in Parliament and transmitting it to the Northern Ireland Assembly, in line with the Terms of Reference for the Review.

For what reason he rejected the Electoral Commission of Northern Ireland's request to separate the next scheduled local government and Assembly elections.

The date for local government elections is set in statute as the first Thursday in May every 4 years, and for the Assembly elections as the first Thursday in May every 5 years. The people of Northern Ireland expect to go to the polls on 6 May 2027 and the Government has no intention of changing that.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the lack of Legislative Consent Motion from the Northern Ireland Assembly on the progress of the Data (Use and Access) Bill.

We have engaged with the Northern Ireland Assembly throughout the Bill's progression.The Northern Ireland Assembly is currently considering a Legislative Consent Memorandum laid by the Northern Ireland Executive.

With reference to the Answer of 11 October 2024 to Question 8083 on Roads: Safety, what her planned timetable is for laying the secondary legislation required to commence section 19 of the Road Safety Act 2006.

Officials continue to work on the complex draft regulations that would be required to commence Section 19 of the Road Safety Act 2006. When this work is completed the Government will give consideration to enabling Section 19 to come to fruition in respect of mandated driving instruction standards for emergency services.

If she will set out the (a) number, (b) value and (c) average delay of tax refunds on hold due to security reasons for which the latest data is available.

HMRC received 2,871,186 Self-Assessment repayment requests between 6 April 2024 and 5 April 2025. Of these, 199,266 (7%) were held for review, with a value of £2.2bn. The average duration of delay for Self-Assessment customers whose repayments were withheld and subsequently released was approximately 25 days.HMRC received 2,859,032 VAT repayment requests between 6 April 2024 and 5 April 2025. Of these, 188,696 (6.6%) were held for a review, with a value of £65.5bn. The average duration of delay for VAT customers whose repayments were withheld and subsequently released was approximately 25 days.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 May 2025 to Question 52795 on Domestic Visits: Northern Ireland, on how many occasions did the Secretary of State notify Rt hon. and hon. Members in advance that he would visit their constituency.

The Honourable Gentleman will be aware it is a requirement to notify Members of Parliament before a visit to their constituency. For the recent occasion when he was not notified, I have apologised to him.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 52794 on Lisburn-Antrim Railway Line, what funding is available for the reopening of rail lines across the United Kingdom.

While transport is largely devolved to Northern Ireland, the UK Government was uniquely able to offer funding for specific rail feasibility studies through Union Connectivity Development Fund. This fund was set up to address recommendations and next steps raised by the Union Connectivity Review.The Government is currently working to finalise what will be a challenging Spending Review - while this work is continuing, I cannot comment further on funding availability.

What progress she has made on the Union Connectivity Fund feasibility study for the reopening of the Antrim to Lisburn rail line.

The Department provided funding to Translink through the Union Connectivity Fund to deliver a feasibility study for the reopening of the Antrim to Lisburn rail line. The Department understands from Translink that they plan to publish their findings over the Summer and that they will engage with stakeholders to present the results.