Written questions by Gilbert.

Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has formally asked the Intellectual Property Office to assess the feasibility of a Secondary Publishing Right.

Awaiting answer.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of a Secondary Publishing right in relation to (a) the dissemination of publicly funded research and (b) value for money.

Awaiting answer.

Whether the estates of deceased individuals will be eligible to claim for the Unethical Research Awards proposed under the Infected Blood Compensation Regulations.

Awaiting answer.

When the first tranche of funding from the Local Growth Fund will be released to delivery partners.

To secure the release of their Local Growth Fund allocation for financial year 2026-27, Regional Partnerships in Scotland are required to submit a 3-year Investment Plan by 29 May 2026. The Scotland Office and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will review and sign-off these plans before the release of year 1 funds - anticipated in Summer 2026.

Whether her department has any plans to extend the restricted list of countries from which adoption is prohibited to also cover surrogacy arrangements.

Awaiting answer.

What steps his department has taken to ensure that the rights and lived experience of children born through surrogacy are reported to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his department has undertaken on the compliance of safeguarding procedures for surrogacy arrangements with the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his department has undertaken on the adequacy of safeguarding procedures for surrogacy arrangements.

Awaiting answer.

Whether the estates of deceased individuals will be eligible to claim for the Unethical Research Awards proposed under the Infected Blood Compensation Regulations.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What provision his department has put in place to undertake a human rights impact assessment of the infected blood compensation process.

The Cabinet Office has carried out analysis under the Public Sector Equality Duty for all regulations made to establish the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme. The most recent analysis was published in October and can be viewed here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2025/9780348276077/pdfs/ukdsipes_9780348276077_en_001.pdf

Whether his Department has considered establishing an appeals process for any applicant who is refused a Special Categorisation Mechanism payment as part of their overall compensation offer from the Infected Blood Compensation Authority.

Anyone is able to appeal against a decision made by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) about any aspect of their infected blood compensation scheme application. Information on how this can be done can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/appeal-an-infected-blood-compensation-decision

What steps his Department is taking to implement the findings of the Sullivan Review.

We have reviewed the recommendations of the Sullivan Review and examined how sex and gender data are currently collected across the main Ministry of Justice data systems. Currently, there is variation in terminology and approaches across these different systems.We are therefore taking forward work to improve consistency in data collection. In doing so, we will align our approach to the Office for National Statistics’ ongoing harmonisation work on sex and gender data to ensure that our data collection is robust, comparable and consistent.

What steps her Department is taking to implement the findings of the Sullivan Review.

The Sullivan Review, commissioned by the previous administration made a number of recommendations concerning how data on sex and gender identity is collected. Individual departments are now considering these findings as part of their ongoing policy work.The Government Statistical Service (GSS) is currently developing harmonised data standards for sex and gender identity, with harmonised standards and guidance on the collection of sex data scheduled for publication in the Autumn. This programme of work aims to improve and standardise how sex and gender identity data are collected across government and beyond. It has been informed by the findings of the Sullivan Review, alongside wider evidence gathered through stakeholder engagement and ongoing research activity.

What steps his Department is taking to implement the findings of the Sullivan Review.

The Department is taking forward work to consider the findings of the Sullivan Review, which sets out a number of recommendations relating to the collection of data on sex and gender identity. We are assessing these recommendations in the context of ongoing work on data harmonisation standards. As all public bodies, and therefore all public data and statistics, were in scope for the review, it is important that we consider the findings collaboratively across government.The Government Statistical Service Harmonisation Programme, a cross-government work programme looking to improve the comparability and coherence of data and statistics, is developing harmonised standards for sex and gender identity. More information is available at the following link:https://blog.ons.gov.uk/2024/12/11/developing-harmonised-standards-for-sex-and-gender-identity/NHS England is leading work to develop the United Information Standard for Protected Characteristics, which focusses on the Equality Act 2010’s nine protected characteristics, including both sex and gender reassignment.Through the Health and Care Statistics Leadership Forum, a group convening statistical leaders across health organisations at the national level to ensure statistical collaboration and coherence, work is underway to catalogue and improve descriptions of how sex and gender data is collected within our statistical publications, ensuring that labels accurately describe the data being collected. More information about the forum is available at the following link:https://osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/blog/guest-blog-challenges-and-opportunities-for-health-and-care-statistics/

What steps his Department is taking to simplify the Pension Credit application process.

The Department is committed to modernising the Pension Credit service and regularly reviews the user experience to balance simplification with ensuring accurate awards. We are streamlining application routes by using information held internally to reduce the number of questions customers need to answer. Claims can be made online, by telephone, or by post. The most popular method is online, where claims can be made 24/7 with help from a family member, friend, or third party. The online form now requires a maximum of 48 questions, and for some customers as few as 35. On average, it takes just 16 minutes to complete, with around 90% of new customers applying online or by phone. For telephone claims, callers are guided through the process by an agent. We will continue to keep the Pension Credit application process under review to ensure it remains simple and accessible.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that illegal settlements in the West Bank are covered by UK sanctions.

The UK government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in Palestine are illegal under international law. The UK has sanctioned individuals, illegal settler outposts and organisations supporting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, as well as Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, and Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, in their personal capacity for inciting violence towards Palestinians. Goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements are not entitled to tariff and trade preferences.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing patient records to be used to research the impact of the use of puberty blockers on people throughout their lives.

We are committed to supporting the NHS in making research central to new gender services for children and young people.This includes a retrospective data linkage study to identify associations in former GIDS patients’ experiences and outcomes, through analysis of available digital information within health records and other nationally held databases. This will not, however, establish causation.The rigorous, randomised controlled PATHWAYS clinical trial which will offer puberty suppression within comprehensive NHS assessment and support will provide robust evidence needed to guide future NHS gender care decisions. Participants will also be asked to consent to long-term follow-up into adult life.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Israeli government’s decision to suspend 37 aid groups on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement I made on 5 January.

With reference to Written Statement UIN HCWS1171 on Upgraded Free Trade Agreement with the Republic of Korea: negotiation update, what impact the deal will have on the a) salmon and b) whisky industry.

The upgraded FTA secures several provisions to reduce administrative burden and costs for UK businesses. It streamlines clearance processes for the release of perishable goods like Salmon and ensures Scottish salmon raised from imported seedstock qualify for tariff-free access to the Republic of Korea, commitments welcomed by the Scottish salmon industry. The FTA also locks in our Geographical Indication protection for Scotch Whisky, preventing the sale of fake Whisky in Republic of Korea. New rules of origin provisions will make it easier to export via distribution hubs without being charged tariffs, a key facilitation welcomed by the industry.

What steps her Department is taking to improve digital connectivity for passengers on East Coast Main Line services.

As part of the Spending Review, the Department was successful in securing funding to deploy low earth orbit satellite connectivity for all mainline trains to improve on-train WiFi for passengers. This will include London North Eastern Railway, which will see improvements as part of this deployment.The Department has also been working with Network Rail to deliver improved connectivity on the rail network. Project Reach will renew fibre optic cables and address 4G / 5G mobile signals in 57 key mainline tunnels.