Written questions by Jones.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Cuban counterpart on reports of gender-based violence against women human rights defenders.

Our relationship with Cuba allows for frank dialogue, including on matters on which we do not agree. Our Ambassador in Havana has raised recent human rights cases with the Ministry of External Relations, and we work with likeminded partners to make clear our shared position. We will continue to raise concerns where we have them through diplomatic channels, in both London and Havana.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Government's proposed changes to Motability on those with standard leases.

The Motability Scheme will continue to offer a choice of vehicles to meet a range of accessibility needs. The Scheme will continue to offer vehicles which require no advance payment, meaning that people will be able to access a suitable vehicle using only their qualifying disability benefit. Motability Operations, an independent commercial company which delivers the Scheme, will continue to prioritise customer needs, ensuring vehicles remain affordable.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 89 of the Annual Report for 2023 on Official Controls performed in Great Britain under the OCR Multi-Annual National Control Plan published by her Department, what assessment she has made of the relative roles of a) intelligence of animal welfare breaches and b) public perceptions in driving animal welfare inspections by the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

The reference to game birds (p89) in the Multi Annual National Control Plan reflects increased public interest in a relatively new and emerging area of welfare oversight. In contrast, farmed livestock have long been a priority for both regulators and the public.The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) already adopt an intelligence-led, risk-based approach to animal welfare inspections. Intelligence sources include referrals from partners such as the Food Standards Agency (FSA), historical compliance data, and other risk indicators, ensuring resources are directed to areas of greatest concern.Public interest plays a role, particularly in triggering reactive inspections where complaints or media attention raise concerns about animal welfare.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 89 of the Annual Report for 2023 on Official Controls performed in Great Britain under the OCR Multi-Annual National Control Plan, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of public interest on the frequency of animal welfare inspections of livestock farms.

The Annual Report notes that inspection frequency for game bird establishments was increased in response to public interest. This was an exceptional measure for that sector.Public perception is an important consideration, but for livestock farms animal welfare has always been a priority. Inspection frequency is determined through a long-standing, risk-based system using objective factors such as compliance history and intelligence This ensures inspections remain proportionate and focused on areas of greatest risk.The Department remains committed to maintaining high standards of farmed animal welfare and will continue to act promptly where concerns are identified. Animal welfare will always remain a core policy priority for this Government.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she will consider increasing the transparency of operations by the Animal and Plant Health Agency in line with the Food Standards Agency's audits of slaughterhouses.

The Government acknowledges the importance of transparency in animal welfare regulation. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) publish details of successful prosecutions in its annual report to Parliament, as required by Section 80 of the Animal Health Act, and Defra publishes APHA regulatory data in the Official Controls report under the Multi-annual National Control Plan (MANCP). The content of these reports is regularly reviewed; however, the Government is not considering introducing additional reporting or audits beyond what is already published.

Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of a) farms and b) slaughterhouses are inspected each year; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of that proportion on animal welfare standards.

a). In 2023, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) undertook 1381 visits, inspecting 3001 herd and flocks. APHA operates an intelligence- and risk-based inspection regime, prioritising cases where significant animal suffering has been identified. There is no prescribed proportion of farms inspected solely for welfare purposes. When inspections are carried out for other purposes, such as disease control, any welfare concerns identified are addressed immediately or escalated for further action. b) All approved slaughterhouses have Food Standards Agency (FSA) officials present during operations and receive at least one dedicated welfare inspection annually. These inspections are supplemented by risk-based audits, ensuring a high level of compliance with animal welfare standards. Overall compliance with animal welfare requirements in slaughterhouses remains very high across the sector.Risk-based and intelligence-led inspections remain the most effective means of targeting resources to tackle serious animal welfare breaches. The FSA monitors large numbers of animals and reports any welfare concerns to APHA, which forms part of this integrated, risk-based approach.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to question 86529, what proportion of EU hazard classifications adopted since 1 January 2021 have received (a) no mandatory classification and (b) a different mandatory classification in GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging.

Since 2021, the mandatory classification and labelling of 232 chemicals have been formally adopted by the EU. In Great Britain (GB), the mandatory classification and labelling of 206 chemicals have been formally adopted, over the same period with the remaining 26 chemicals due to be adopted by GB in June 2026. Of the 232 chemicals formally adopted by the EU, the GB MCL classification has diverged from the EU classification for 29 chemicals, which is about 12%.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of ending the routine culling of day-old male chicks in the UK egg industry; and whether the forthcoming Animal Welfare Strategy will consider the use of in-ovo sexing technology.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 9 July 2025 to the hon. Member for Stockport, PQ UIN 64121.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to question 86529, whether divergence between EU and GB mandatory hazard classifications for the same substance will change under HSE proposals for changing GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging.

From 23 June to 18 August 2025, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consulted on proposals to reform three pieces of chemicals legislation: Great Britain Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR); Great Britain Classification, Labelling and Packaging (GB CLP); and Great Britain Prior Informed Consent for the export and import of hazardous chemicals (GB PIC). The reform proposals suggest procedural changes to how the GB Classification system operates but do not propose changes to the underlying scientific criteria used for classifying and labelling chemicals. These criteria are set out in Annexes I and II to the GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation (known as the GB CLP Regulation). The final proposals for GB CLP will be confirmed as part of HSE’s response to the Chemicals Legislative Reform Proposals consultation. It is expected to be published in early 2026 subject to Ministerial approval.

What assessment has she made of the potential impacts of (a) low car ownership and (b) difficulties in accessing rail travel on economic opportunities for deprived communities in Islwyn.

The Department for Transport recognises the importance of improving connectivity for communities with low car ownership and limited access to rail services. Through the Wales Rail Board, we are working in close partnership with the Welsh Government to develop future rail service improvements for communities across Wales, including Islwyn. Supporting this collaboration, the 10-year Infrastructure Strategy will deliver at least £445 million of UK Government investment in Welsh rail infrastructure, demonstrating our commitment to enhancing services and improving access to economic opportunities.

When the Health and Safety Executive plans to publish (a) next steps and its formal response to the consultation on proposals for changing GB CLP and GB BPR and (b) draft legislation to enact those proposals.

The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) response to the Chemicals Legislative Reform Proposals consultation, which took place from 23 June 2025 to 18 August 2025, is expected to be published in early 2026 subject to Ministerial approval. The consultation set out HSE’s proposals to reform three pieces of chemicals legislation: Great Britain Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR); Great Britain Classification, Labelling and Packaging (GB CLP); and Great Britain Prior Informed Consent for the export and import of hazardous chemicals (GB PIC). The approach to chemicals reforms and policy will be set out in full in the consultation response alongside how HSE plans to legislate to implement any changes. This will include consideration of using the powers in the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023.

How the Environmental Principles Policy Statement was considered by the Health and Safety Executive in developing legislative proposals for changing GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging and GB Biocidal Product Regulation and GB Prior Informed Consent.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has considered the Environmental Principles Policy Statement throughout the development of its legislative proposals for amendments to its three chemicals regimes: Great Britain Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR), Great Britain Classification, Labelling and Packaging (GB CLP), and GB Prior Informed Consent for the export and import of hazardous chemicals (GB PIC). Additionally, one of the fundamental principles underpinning this work is that protections for human health, animal health and the environment should be maintained. This also supports HSE’s strategic objective to ensure people feel safe where they live, where they work, and in their environment, as set out in ‘Protecting People and Places’ – the HSE Strategy 2022 to 2032. HSE will publish a response to its formal consultation on Chemicals Legislative Reform Proposals, which took place from 23 June 2025 to 18 August 2025, in early 2026 subject to Ministerial approval. The response will include plans on how HSE intends to legislate to implement any changes.

What assessment has she made of the potential merits of proposals to re-open the Abertillery spur of the Ebbw Vale Line.

The Wales Rail Board works with both the UK and Welsh governments, as well as local transport authorities and community leaders, to identify and advance rail projects that best meet the specific needs of each region.In relation to the Abertillery Spur, the Wales Rail Board is in receipt of the development work undertaken to date by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and Transport for Wales and is considering this in relation to its advice to both governments on service development and investment priorities for Wales.

What assessment has she made of the potential impact of (a) opening new or (b) reopening former railway stations on economic regeneration of towns in the South Wales coalfield.

The Spending Review and Infrastructure Strategy committed to deliver at least £445 million of rail enhancements in Wales, including the provision of £48 million to the Welsh Government to upgrade the Core Valley Lines and increase connectivity. The Wales Rail Board works with both the UK and Welsh governments, as well as local transport authorities and community leaders, to identify and advance rail projects that best meet the specific needs of each region, including new and reopened stations. The Board places particular emphasis on initiatives that promote economic development, job creation, and improved housing, ensuring that all projects are supported by a robust business case.

Food and Rural Affairs, when she intends to publish the Animal Welfare Strategy.

This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation. As set out by the Prime Minister, we will publish our Animal Welfare Strategy this year which will set out our priorities for animal welfare.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will consult on legislative steps to strengthen provisions in the Hunting Act 2004.

The Government recognises that concerns persist around illegal hunting being carried out under the guise of trail hunting; that is why we have already committed in our manifesto to put an end to trail hunting. The Government will launch a consultation in the new year on how to develop proposals for an effective ban on trail hunting.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications of her policies of the recent ADF attack on Byambwe Reference Health Center in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Christian-majority Lubero territory.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 24 November to Question 91327.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she is taking with international partners concerning the recent crackdown on citizens in Cameroon following the elections.

Throughout the electoral process, we encouraged the Government of Cameroon to strengthen democratic institutions, highlighting the vital role of civil society in fostering dialogue and stability, and funded innovative approaches to promote political inclusion and engagement. Following the elections, the Minister of State for International Development and Africa encouraged all parties to refrain from violence, exercise restraint, and pursue inclusive dialogue to address grievances and preserve stability. We remain committed to advancing democracy and human rights in Cameroon, while maintaining a constructive relationship, grounded in shared Commonwealth values.

When he last met the Health and Care Professions Council to discuss its planned role in regulating NHS managers.

I met with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) most recently on 29 October 2025, where work to introduce National Health Service managers into statutory regulation was discussed.Department officials are working with the HCPC to identify the cost implications to the Government of implementing a barring mechanism for senior NHS managers, recognising that the HCPC cannot fund the implementation or operation of a barring system for senior NHS managers through registration fees levied against the 15 professions it currently regulates.

What steps his Department is taking to fund the work of the Health and Care Professions Council in regulating NHS managers.

I met with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) most recently on 29 October 2025, where work to introduce National Health Service managers into statutory regulation was discussed.Department officials are working with the HCPC to identify the cost implications to the Government of implementing a barring mechanism for senior NHS managers, recognising that the HCPC cannot fund the implementation or operation of a barring system for senior NHS managers through registration fees levied against the 15 professions it currently regulates.