Written questions by Swann.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the mandatory retirement age for reservists.

As the Minister for Veterans and People, I have commissioned an internal review in Defence to ensure that we are making the most of the unique contribution our Reserve Forces offer. The review will examine the Reserves landscape and will include some aspects of their terms and conditions of Service, such as normal retirement age.

What is required for an airport to be designated as a level 3 airport.

For an airport to be designated as Level 3 slot coordinated, and therefore requiring the formal allocation of slots by an independent coordinator, the demand for operating services should exceed the airport infrastructure’s capacity for at least one scheduling period. Secretary of State approval is required to designate any airport as Level 3 slot coordinated.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the development of its international relations strategy.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has held official-level discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive (NIE) on their proposal to develop an international relations strategy. We look forward to continuing that engagement with the NIE in due course as its Strategy is further developed.

What discussions he has had with the First and deputy First Minister on the continuing vacancy in the office of the Commissioner of Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.

The appointment of a new Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland is a matter for the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Safeguarding the Union command paper, published on 31 January 2024.

The Government is committed to implementing the Windsor Framework and to taking all steps necessary to protect Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market. Commitments made in the Safeguarding the Union command paper support this objective, and the Government continues to make progress in delivering them.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions Ministers in his Department have had with their counterparts in the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in the Northern Ireland Executive on the foot and mouth outbreak in Germany.

In response to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Germany, we are in contact with German counterparts to understand the latest situation and, as is routine procedure, we are working closely with the Devolved Governments to understand the risks to the UK and prevent an incursion from imported goods. On 21 January, the situation and the need for ongoing collaboration and vigilance was also discussed at a meeting between the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Hayman of Ullock; Andrew Muir MLA; and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Member for Leeds South (Hilary Benn).

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release entitled, Government introduces import ban of cattle, pigs and sheep from Germany to protect farmers after Foot and Mouth case, published on 14 January 2025, whether the import ban will apply to Northern Ireland.

The measures announced on 14 January 2025 apply to imports into Great Britain. For Northern Ireland the controls on meat and live animals will apply to a 3 kilometres protection zone and 10 kilometres surveillance zones surrounding the infected premises in Germany. Products from the zones cannot move to Northern Ireland. Meat from outside these disease control zones can move into Northern Ireland, as can personal movements of food products. Additional health requirements will apply for movement of live animals from outside of these zones. The measures in place to protect farmers in Northern Ireland are strong. Given the strict prohibitions on the imports of animals and products of animal origin from countries in which foot and mouth disease is present, goods which transit Great Britain when moving from Germany to Northern Ireland are also subject to the same restrictions as imports into Great Britain. Qualifying Northern Ireland goods will continue to have full unfettered access to the rest of the UK, these provisions are unaffected by these new control measures.

Whether the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework will consider the (a) operation and (b) output of the Northern Ireland Assembly Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee.

It will be a matter for Lord Murphy to consider the programme of work of the Review. In line with the Terms of Reference, the Review will be obliged to consult with a range of stakeholders, including Northern Ireland political parties, and can engage with the Assembly and its committee functions as it considers appropriate.

Innovation and Technology, which Northern Irish companies received funding from the £1.8m for regional cyber skills projects.

Cyber Local is a UK government scheme to deliver tailored support for the cyber security sector. It is part of the government’s work to make the UK more resilient against cyber threats, support economic growth and develop digital skills.£1.9 million of funding will be shared by 31 projects, details of which can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cyber-local-projects-2025. The downloadable spreadsheet indicates the project location and whether the project focuses on skills, resilience or innovation.

Whether she had discussions with the Minister of Education in Northern Ireland on Clause 56 of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.The department has engaged with the devolved governments during the development of the Bill.The department is committed to keeping our devolved government colleagues properly engaged on matters with cross-border impact and will continue to do so throughout the progression of the Bill and our implementation planning.

What recent progress he has made on the War Widow(er)s Recognition Payment scheme; how many applicants have received payments; and what the (a) branch of service and (b) regiment of such recipients is.

This Government recognises the unique commitment that Service families make to our country. We remain sympathetic to those widows and widowers who forfeited pensions under historic rules because they remarried or cohabited. The War Widow(er)s Recognition Payment Scheme has received 357 applications and accepted and paid 240 claims since it was launched on 16 October 2023. Of those, 99% of all claims have been processed and the Recognition Payment Scheme is delivering effectively to those it was established to recognise. Information relating to the branch of service and regiment of individuals whose widows have received payments under the scheme is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the regulation of Northern Ireland Water.

Water policy and regulation in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in the Northern Ireland Executive. However, there are regular opportunities for ministerial discussions on a wide range of issues where there are shared challenges and opportunities.

Whether he has had discussions with online sales platforms on guidance on implementation of the General Product Safety Regulation.

Ministerial colleagues in the Department and I undertake regular engagement with businesses, including online marketplaces and those who sell products online, to listen to their concerns. In addition, officials in my Department have regular discussions with business representatives, including online marketplaces and businesses that sell products online, on a range of issues, including the new General Product Safety Regulations. This engagement allows businesses to raise specific issues directly with the Government.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the trade agreement between the EU and Mercusor on (a) food producers and (b) farmers in Northern Ireland.

The department has not made an assessment of the trade agreement between the EU and Mercusor. The department continuously monitors agri-food markets through the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many prosecutions there have been under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2019.

Responsibility for enforcing the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 lies with English local authorities. Local authorities may keep records of individual enforcement activity, including cases that have led to prosecutions. However, the information requested regarding prosecutions is not held centrally by Defra. Defra is finalising a post-implementation review (PIR) of the Regulations. The PIR considers the effectiveness of the regulations, including enforcement. The report into the review will be published shortly.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of Professor Mary Renfrew's report entitled Enabling Safe Quality Midwifery Services and Care In Northern Ireland, published on 22 October 2024.

Improving maternity and neonatal care remains a priority for the Government. Whilst health is a devolved matter, there will be shared challenges and opportunities for improvement, so we are considering the report to help inform our next steps. A formal assessment of the report has not been made to date.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has had discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on legislation on (a) leasehold and (b) freehold affecting properties in Northern Ireland.

The department regularly engages with the Northern Ireland Executive on a range of policy areas including housing. Recently this has included ministerial attendance of the British Irish Council's Planning and Places meeting in November, as well as through direct bilateral engagement.Property law is a transferred matter in Northern Ireland. However, in early 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister will be chairing the first inter-ministerial meeting for Housing, Local Governments and Communities with the devolved governments.

Media and Sport, what her policy is on future funding arrangements for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

Departmental settlements have been set following the Budget announcement on October 30. Individual programmes will now be assessed during the departmental Business Planning process.

Whether any Military Aid to the Civil Authorities requests have been made as a result of storm Bert.

No.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2024 to Question 13304 on Northern Ireland Office: Domestic Visits, what steps he is taking to ensure the process is followed.

Members of Parliament are notified in advance of Ministerial visits to their constituency. On a recent occasion, a typographical error in an email meant that the Honourable Member’s constituency office was not notified correctly. The Northern Ireland Office has since contacted the Honourable Member’s constituency office to convey apologies for this.