Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1718426

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2024
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Animal Experiments
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Animals in Science Regulation Unit annual report 2022, published on 25 April 2024, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to (a) help increase compliance with (i) legislation and (ii) licence conditions with respect to the provision of care for animals and (b) support the replacement of animal (A) research and (B) testing with (1) organ-on-a-chip, (2) computer modelling and (3) other human-specific technologies.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	26402
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2024 answer text <p>The Home Office Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) has embarked on an ambitious agenda of regulatory reform. The ASRU Regulatory Reform Programme aims to deliver leading regulatory practice, improving how ASRU meets best practice regulatory standards, and enhancing ASRU’s ability to protect animals in scientific testing and research. As part of reforms ASRU will be reviewing and strengthening its licensing and audit processes, with a focus on improving compliance with the legislation and providing a quality service to the science sector.</p><p>This Government has committed to soon publish a plan to accelerate the development, validation and uptake of technologies and methods to reduce reliance on the use of animals in science. The Government recently announced that it will double investment, from £10m to £20m per annum, in research to achieve the three Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement) with a focus on the development of non-animal alternatives.</p> answering member constituency Tonbridge and Malling answering member printed Tom Tugendhat question first answered 22/05/2024 12:08:20 answering member 4462 label Biography information for Tom Tugendhat
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1717921

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Agriculture: Animal Welfare
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to end the use of cages in farming.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	26114
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2024 answer text <p>We have delivered an ambitious legislative programme since the publication of the Action Plan for Animal Welfare, which will deliver significant improvements for animals in the UK and abroad. We are firmly committed to maintaining our strong track record on animal welfare and to delivering continued improvements, both in the course of this Parliament and beyond.</p><p> </p><p>Mindful of the challenges facing the sector, we are not consulting on cage reforms. The market is already driving the move away from using cages for laying hen production. Egg producers and consumers should rightly have pride in the quality of British eggs, with about 75% coming from free range, barn and organic production systems. The UK also has a significant outdoor pig sector with 40% of the national sow breeding herd farrowing freely on outdoor units with no option for confinement.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to work with the farming industry to maintain and enhance our high standards of animal welfare. The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, part of our domestic agricultural policy, supports farmers to produce healthier, higher welfare animals. The Government’s welfare priorities for the Pathway include supporting producers to transition away from confinement systems.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 21/05/2024 08:11:57 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1717922

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Agriculture: Livestock
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help support the transition to (a) humane and (b) sustainable livestock farming.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	26115
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2024 answer text <p>We are committed to investing in targeted schemes that support sustainable farming whilst improving the viability of farming businesses, delivering environmental outcomes and supporting sustainable food production.</p><p> </p><p>Through the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway we are providing support directly to farmers in England to deliver gradual, continual improvement against a series of livestock health and welfare priorities, including tackling key endemic diseases alongside a range of welfare issues whilst ensuring that farmers can produce good quality food for the nation.</p><p> </p><p>The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill is now awaiting Royal Assent; this will ban the export of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses for slaughter and fattening from Great Britain, stopping unnecessary stress, exhaustion and injury.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 20/05/2024 14:14:29 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1715835

	registered interest
	date	03/05/2024
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Animal Experiments: Licensing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many licences were active that authorise use of the forced swim test as of 3 May 2024; and how many licences were amended to no longer authorise use of this test since the letter from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State to the Animals in Science Committee on 1 March 2024.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	24752
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2024 answer text <p>The Home Office committed to review all licences authorising the use of the forced swim test (FST) under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 by the end of March 2024 and has subsequently liaised with licence holders where necessary to implement the recommendations of the Animals in Science Committee.</p><p>Since 1 March 2024, three project licences have been amended to remove authorisation of the FST, one project licence that authorised the FST has expired, and two project licences that authorised the FST have been revoked.</p><p>As of today, three project licences authorise the use of the FST. The Home Office is engaging with the relevant licence holders to ensure the recommendations of the Animals in Science Committee are implemented in full for those licences.</p> answering member constituency Tonbridge and Malling answering member printed Tom Tugendhat question first answered 14/05/2024 16:08:06 answering member 4462 label Biography information for Tom Tugendhat
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1714980

	registered interest
	date	30/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Furs: Sales
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timescales are for publishing the results of the consultation entitled The Fur Market in Great Britain, which closed on 31 May 2021.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	24222
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2024 answer text <p>I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 23 April 2024 to the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green, PQ <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2024-04-16/22091" target="_blank">22091</a>.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 07/05/2024 13:16:50 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1715014

	registered interest
	date	30/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Poultry: Animal Welfare
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his expected timetable is for reviewing the use of cages for laying hens.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	24223
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2024 answer text <p>We have delivered an ambitious legislative programme since the publication of the Action Plan for Animal Welfare, which will deliver significant improvements for animals in the UK and abroad. We are firmly committed to maintaining our strong track record on animal welfare and to delivering continued improvements, both in the course of this Parliament and beyond.</p><p> </p><p>Mindful of the challenges facing the sector, we are not consulting on cage reforms. The market is already driving the move away from using cages for laying hen production. Egg producers and consumers should rightly have pride in the quality of British eggs, with about 75% coming from free range, barn and organic production systems.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to work with the farming industry to maintain and enhance our high standards of animal welfare. The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, part of our domestic agricultural policy, supports farmers to produce healthier, higher welfare animals. The Government’s welfare priorities for the Pathway include supporting producers to transition away from confinement systems.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 07/05/2024 13:06:57 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1701855

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Pregnancy: Screening
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information her Department holds on the number of non-invasive pre-natal tests branded as NIFTY and manufactured by BGI Group have been sold in the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	22292
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The Department and NHS England do not hold information on the sales within the United Kingdom of the non-invasive pre-natal tests branded as NIFTY, manufactured by BGI Group. The NHS Supply Chain, who manage the sourcing, delivery, and supply of healthcare products, services, and food for National Health Service trusts and healthcare organisations across England, develop procurement frameworks which enable NHS organisations to buy goods and services from suppliers. NHS Supply Chain has confirmed that non-invasive pre-natal tests branded as NIFTY and manufactured by BGI Group, are not on their procurement framework.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 24/04/2024 15:30:31 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1701858

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Genomics: National Security
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Deputy Prime Minister's oral statement of 11 September 2023 on Security Update, Official Report, column 673, whether he has made an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of designating the genomics sector as Critical National Infrastructure.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	22293
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2024 answer text <p>The genomics sector is not currently designated as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). There is a strict framework for classification: CNI assets and systems are those that have been assessed as having a significant and catastrophic impact to the functioning of the UK – either through the loss of life or limb, on the economy, or national security, defence or the functioning of the state – should they be disrupted or compromised. The threshold is a high bar so that resources are focused on the highest priority, and most critical, assets and systems.</p><p>There are strong and sufficient provisions protecting UK genomics databases, including through the UK Data Protection Act (2018), which delivers a data protection framework tailored to the needs of our criminal justice agencies and intelligence services. The relevant genomics data is additionally held within Secure Data Environments, affording further security protections.</p><p>As with all parts of the CNI landscape, we commit to keeping this position under review.</p><p><strong></strong><br><br></p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 25/04/2024 16:32:15 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1701860

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Genomics: China
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2024 to Question 14260 on Genomics: China, whether the programme of work to assess risks from biological data will include a review of (a) BGI Group, (b) MGI Tech and (c) other companies linked to the Chinese state.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	22294
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2024 answer text <p>Through the delivery of our Biological Security Strategy, the Government is committed ensuring the UK is resilient to a spectrum of biological threats, as well as being a world leader in innovation. As part of this Strategy, the Government is undertaking a programme of work to assess how we can minimise the risks from biological data to protect our burgeoning bioeconomy and build confidence in sharing personal data to improve health outcomes in the UK and across the world. This review covers the extent to which the UK shares data with certain companies.</p><p>Currently, organisations which hold sensitive biological data are subject to the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In addition, organisations such as Genomics England, UK Biobank and NIHR BioResource actively consider national security in decision making about partnerships with companies overseas. These organisations consult with security personnel on a regular basis to ensure partnerships are aligned with our national security interests.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith question first answered 25/04/2024 08:43:41 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1699953

	registered interest
	date	12/04/2024
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Electronic Travel Authorisations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to update the impact assessment for Electronic Travel Authorisation to include airside transit passengers.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	20970
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2024 answer text <p>Electronic Travel Authorisations deliver important security benefits. A blanket exemption to the ETA requirement for passengers transiting airside would fundamentally undermine the rationale of the scheme by creating a permission free route of travel into the UK which would be open to abuse.</p><p> </p><p>We will keep our position under review to monitor the impact on transit as the scheme is rolled out.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 22/04/2024 11:47:27 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1700089

	registered interest
	date	12/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Southern Water: Meters
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure customers of Southern Water are able to install water efficiency measures in their meter chambers.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	20971
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>Southern Water is developing its next Water Resources Management Plan and its draft plan included the proposed to update water meters with smart meters across its customers by 2030 through an extensive replacement programme. The company plans to undertake 10,000 household water audits per year. The company is due to reconsult on its plan this summer. It will not be granted permission to finalise its plan until Defra are satisfied that it is appropriate, including assurance that the water efficiency programme is robust, sufficiently ambitious and enables customers to be efficient with the water they use.</p><p> </p><p>Most water efficiency interventions by water companies are directed to water use within properties. Southern Water have not specified measures beyond smart metering that directly involve the meter chamber. Water meters are normally water company property and measures in the meter chamber would not usually be undertaken by customers.</p><p> </p><p>Southern Water reported through its 2022/23 annual review that it had undertaken smart water meter trials in 1500 homes. The average water use across Southern Water households was 128 litres per person per day in 2022/23, in line with its forecasts and below the latest national average of 141. The Environment Agency and Defra track whether water companies are effectively reducing water consumption across household and business customers each year and escalate concerns where applicable.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 24/04/2024 09:43:33 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1700141

	registered interest
	date	12/04/2024
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Bowel Cancer: Screening
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help improve genomics testing for bowel cancer patients.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	20972
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2024 answer text <p>A National Health Service testing programme is helping to diagnose thousands of people with a genetic condition, Lynch Syndrome, that increases the chance of developing certain cancers including bowel cancer. The national programme ensures all people diagnosed with bowel cancer are offered genomic testing, with a diagnosis for Lynch Syndrome not only helping to guide more personalised cancer treatment but enabling their families and relatives to be offered testing too. Relatives who receive a diagnosis of Lynch Syndrome can be referred to genetic services to discuss regular testing options to help catch any cancers as early as possible, as well as to consider preventive options such as taking aspirin or undergoing risk-reducing surgery.</p><p>Genomic testing in the NHS in England is provided through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) and delivered by a national genomic testing network of seven NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs). The NHS GLHs deliver testing as directed by the National Genomic Test Directory (NGTD) which outlines the full range of genomic testing offered by the NHS in England including tests for 3,200 rare diseases and over 200 cancer clinical indications, including both whole genome sequencing (WGS) and non-WGS testing. The NGTD sets out the eligibility criteria for patients to access testing as well as the genomic targets to be tested and the method that should be used, including testing for bowel cancer patients.</p><p>The NHS GMS cancer genomic testing strategy has facilitated a move to a consolidated laboratory network through the seven NHS GLHs delivering more extensive panel testing using cutting edge high throughput Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology. For patients, including those with bowel cancer, this technology enables testing for a larger number of genetic variations to give a more precise diagnosis, identify biomarkers to target treatment and opportunities to access innovative medicines, and can support enrolment into molecularly stratified clinical trials.</p><p>Testing is available for all eligible patients across the whole of England. Individuals should discuss with their healthcare professional (for example, their general practitioner or other healthcare professional if they are already being seen in a relevant service) whether genomic testing is appropriate for them. Their healthcare professional will then make a decision whether to refer the individual either directly or via an NHS clinical genomics service or other relevant clinical speciality for genomic testing following clinical review of their and their family’s medical history if known, and the relevant genomic testing eligibility criteria.</p><p>The 17 NHS Clinical Genomic Services (NHS CGSs), commissioned by NHS England, deliver a comprehensive clinical genomic and counselling service that directs the diagnosis, risk assessment and lifelong clinical management of patients of all ages and their families who have, or are at risk of having, a rare genetic or genomic condition. As part of the NHS CGS, the patient and their family will access diagnosis, and management relevant to their particular condition, but also receive support and guidance so that they are able to understand their condition, its implications, and their options in relation to reproduction, screening, prevention and clinical management.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 22/04/2024 13:43:08 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1697548

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Marine Protected Areas: Fishing Vessels
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to prohibit the use of bottom-towed fishing gear in Marine Protected Areas.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	19593
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2024 answer text <p>I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Devon, on 22 January 2024, PQ UIN <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fquestions-statements.parliament.uk%2Fwritten-questions%2Fdetail%2F2024-01-15%2F9706&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7Cdac54863fba24d48038208dc4a6be6c4%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638467074492213138%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ISD4h6iMO25HStI%2BBZKhytqKE2vysfGLeaJJBfLQNsI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">9706</a>.</p><p> </p><p>A byelaw restricting the use of bottom-towed fishing gear in 13 Marine Protected Areas mentioned in that answer came into force on 22 March 2024.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer grouped question UIN 19598 question first answered 27/03/2024 14:27:16 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1696438

	registered interest
	date	15/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Animal Welfare
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish the findings of the post-implementation review of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	18880
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2024 answer text <p>Defra has undertaken a post-implementation review (PIR) of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (the 2018 Regulations) as mandated by the regulations’ review clause. This evaluation assesses the extent to which the regulations have achieved their intended goals and identifies areas for potential improvement.</p><p>The PIR will be published soon.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 19/03/2024 16:40:15 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1696309

	registered interest
	date	14/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Airports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the review of slots policy will clarify the exemption for non-use of slots for reasons outside the control of the carrier.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	18696
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/03/2024 answer text <p>We published the airport slot reform consultation on 4 December 2023 putting forward options for longer term reform of the slot system, including powers to provide alleviation from slot rules in exceptional circumstances. The consultation closed on 8 March. We are considering responses and will set out next steps in due course.</p><p>In addition, a permanent expansion of justified non-utilisation provisions to include pandemics and other health crisis is being taken forward separately using powers in the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Cambridgeshire answering member printed Anthony Browne question first answered 21/03/2024 15:06:23 answering member 4801 label Biography information for Anthony Browne
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1696533

	registered interest
	date	12/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Personal Savings
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help people save for the future.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	902037
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2024 answer text <p>Retirement saving has been transformed with over 11 million employees put into workplace pensions since 2012.</p><p> </p><p>We are committed to the expansion of Automatic Enrolment in the mid-2020s. Our reforms will benefit younger workers and increase overall amounts being saved, with 3m people saving £2bn extra a year.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 18/03/2024 17:06:19 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1695059

	registered interest
	date	11/03/2024
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Animal Experiments: Animal Welfare
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a fee for a project licence under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and using the funds generated to (a) support the further development of non-animal methods and (b) improve enforcement of the regulatory framework.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	17872
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2024 answer text <p>The Government charges fees for regulation under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 on a full cost recovery basis. The Government has no plans to introduce a fee for project licences. The Government will shortly increase the current fees to maintain high standards of regulation.</p><p>The Government recently announced that it will double investment, from £10m to £20m per annum, in research to achieve the three Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement) and develop non-animal alternatives. The Government will also publish a plan to accelerate the development, validation and uptake of technologies and methods to reduce reliance on the use of animals in science.</p> answering member constituency Tonbridge and Malling answering member printed Tom Tugendhat question first answered 18/03/2024 15:55:15 answering member 4462 label Biography information for Tom Tugendhat
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1694848

	registered interest
	date	06/03/2024
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Undocumented Migrants
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what diplomatic steps his Department is taking to help tackle illegal migration.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	901949
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2024 answer text <p>We [FCDO] are engaging with international partners on a 'whole of route' approach to addressing irregular migration. This includes a multi-year operational plan with France to stop small boats, developing partnerships to tackle organised immigration crime, improving returns processes and working with partner countries through international fora to address the root causes of irregular migration, such as conflict and climate change.</p> answering member constituency Sutton Coldfield answering member printed Mr Andrew Mitchell question first answered 12/03/2024 16:11:14 answering member 1211 label Biography information for Mr Andrew Mitchell
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1691572

	registered interest
	date	26/02/2024
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Cardiovascular Diseases: Research
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help encourage research into cardiovascular disease (a) treatment and (b) prevention.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	15618
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2024 answer text <p>The Department funds research into the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). In January 2023, the Department updated its areas of research interest (ARIs), which highlight to the patient, academic, clinical and life sciences community the areas where we want to expand our efforts and work together to systematically understand, intervene and improve public, patient, and service outcomes. ARI1 focuses on prevention, early diagnosis and appropriate intervention for people at increased risk of poor health, including cardiovascular disease. Supporting ARI1, the three NIHR Research Schools were awarded £10 million to deliver a collaborative programme of prevention research between 2023 and 2027. The programme will have a strong emphasis on capacity building. It will also encourage practitioners to participate in prevention research as a step towards establishing their own longer-term research careers and help address gaps between research and practice.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 04/03/2024 15:42:10 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1688982

	registered interest
	date	16/02/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Cetaceans: Import Controls
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to introduce a ban on the (a) display and (b) importation of (i) dolphins, (ii) whales, (iii) porpoises and (iv) other cetaceans.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	13998
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/02/2024 answer text <p>The UK Government considers cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) to be highly intelligent, social animals, with complex needs that are unlikely to be met when removed from their natural marine habitat and kept in captivity.</p><p> </p><p>The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006 require high standards for the welfare of kept animals. We consider these protections sufficient to ensure cetaceans are not displayed or otherwise kept in captivity in this country.</p><p> </p><p>We are not aware of any cetaceans being kept in captivity or being displayed but if there was any indication that cetaceans were to be displayed or kept in captivity here again then we would of course consider further actions.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 26/02/2024 17:34:28 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1689098

	registered interest
	date	16/02/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Animal Welfare: Import Controls
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that the UK requires imports of (a) meat, (b) milk, (c) eggs and (d) fish to meet UK animal welfare standards.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	13999
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2024 answer text <p>The Government is proud of the high food standards that underpin our high-quality Great British produce. We will never compromise on these.</p><p> </p><p>All agri-food products, including those from countries we have trade agreements with, must comply with our import requirements in order to be placed on the UK market. This includes ensuring imported meat products have been slaughtered to animal welfare standards equivalent to our domestic standards.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will use our expertise and influence to drive enhanced animal welfare and food safety standards globally.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 27/02/2024 13:33:40 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1687862

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2024
	answering body	Department for Business and Trade
	answering dept id	214
	answering dept short name	Business and Trade
	answering dept sort name	Business and Trade
	hansard heading	Horizon IT System: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to exonerate sub-postmasters prosecuted due to the Post Office Horizon system.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	13306
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/02/2024 answer text <p>On 10 January, Government announced its intention to bring forward legislation to overturn the convictions of all those convicted in England or Wales on the basis of Post Office evidence during the Horizon scandal. This work is proceeding at pace and legislation will be introduced within weeks. These individuals will become eligible for compensation; this includes the upfront offer of £600,000 or to claim more via the individual claim assessment process.</p><p> </p><p>Compensation is already open to postmasters who were prosecuted but not convicted.</p> answering member constituency Thirsk and Malton answering member printed Kevin Hollinrake question first answered 12/02/2024 17:22:47 answering member 4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1687714

	registered interest
	date	01/02/2024
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Aviation: Fuels
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	When he plans to respond to the sustainable available fuel mandate consultation.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	901412
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2024 answer text <p>A mandate to supply sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will be introduced in 2025, leading to at least 10% SAF in UK jet fuel by 2030. Following the close of the second SAF mandate consultation in June 2023, the department has made significant progress in updating the evidence base and finalising the design of the Mandate. I can confirm that the government response will be published in spring 2024.</p> answering member constituency South Cambridgeshire answering member printed Anthony Browne question first answered 08/02/2024 08:46:08 answering member 4801 label Biography information for Anthony Browne
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1685249

	registered interest
	date	26/01/2024
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Veganism and Vegetarianism: Care Homes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of (a) legal and (b) other protections for the right of vegans and vegetarians to manifest their beliefs in care settings.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	11598
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2024 answer text <p>Ethical veganism has previously been found to be a philosophical belief under the Equality Act 2010 by an employment tribunal, in an employment context. While this is not binding in other cases, all employers and service providers, including those who administer care homes and hospitals, should have regard to the differing dietary needs of people who they provide meals to, whether these are determined by health considerations, religious or philosophical belief. Providers should also recognise that food is not the only aspect of how ethical vegans conduct their lives and where possible should ensure that these other aspects are catered for.</p><p> </p><p>Care providers should be aware that service users such as care home residents and ward patients may bring claims under the Act, where they consider they have been treated less favourably because of their belief in ethical veganism. In addition, public sector providers are subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty which requires them, in carrying out their functions, to have due regard to the need to achieve the objectives set out under s149 of the Equality Act 2010 to:</p><p>(a) eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010; (b) advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it and (c) foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. Specific duties, set out in regulations, ensure transparency, and assist in the performance of this duty.</p><p>The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulate care homes as well as other health and care providers. One of the fundamental standards is on nutritional and hydration needs. Please see the link below.</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/regulations/regulation-14-meeting-nutritional-hydration-needs" target="_blank">https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/regulations/regulation-14-meeting-nutritional-hydration-needs</a></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 05/02/2024 17:13:47 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1685250

	registered interest
	date	26/01/2024
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	NHS and Social Services: Veganism and Vegetarianism
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that vegans and vegetarians are provided with appropriate food in the (a) NHS, (b) social care and (c) other health services.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	11599
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2024 answer text <p>For the National Health Service, social care and other health services, the Care Quality Commission regulates providers on compliance with Regulation 14 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. This states that health and social care providers must consider people’s preferences, religious and cultural backgrounds when providing food and drink, and that people must have their nutritional needs assessed as quickly as possible and food be provided to meet the needs identified.</p><p>NHS England published updated NHS Food Standards in November 2022. The standards set out that menus should be tailored to meet patient’s dietary requirements and personal preferences. To that end, all hospital sites are expected to prepare and provide menus that meet all necessary types of dietary, religious and cultural needs. Vegetarian and vegan meals and snacks have long been part of this choice, and particularly with the focus on providing lower carbon choices, plant based meals are being provided as an extensive range.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 05/02/2024 13:00:34 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1684919

	registered interest
	date	24/01/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Aviation: Alternative Fuels
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will review the position of sustainable aviation fuel within the waste hierarchy.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	11307
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/01/2024 answer text <p>The best environmental outcome for waste that cannot be either prevented or prepared for reuse is for material to be recycled. However, we know that that is not always possible. Where waste cannot be reused or recycled, the Government supports maximising the value of residual waste through recovering energy, including supplying electricity or heat, or through use as a fuel.</p><p> </p><p>The process of converting waste into fuels is an energy recovery operation for the purposes of the waste hierarchy. We do not consider it the role of the waste hierarchy to determine the priority of recovery processes through which residual waste should be managed. There is nothing preventing the production of fuel from residual waste if this is determined to be the best overall value for money and environmental outcome for non-recyclable wastes. We therefore have no plans to change the position of sustainable aviation fuel within the waste hierarchy.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 31/01/2024 17:58:02 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1682880

	registered interest
	date	17/01/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023, when he plans to launch the consultation to determine which activities fall within the regulations.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	10088
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/01/2024 answer text <p>The Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 provides a framework for the introduction of a ban on the advertising and offering for sale of specific low-welfare animal activities abroad. It is an important step in protecting animals from considerable suffering and unacceptable practices.</p><p> </p><p>This Government continues to make animal welfare a priority and we are currently exploring a number of options to progress this issue as soon as is practicable.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 31/01/2024 13:49:23 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1682990

	registered interest
	date	17/01/2024
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Aviation: VAT
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of removing VAT on pilot flight training courses.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	10089
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/01/2024 answer text <p>Pilot training may be exempt from VAT when provided by an eligible body which meets certain conditions (for example, when provided by a government institution or certain regulated organisations), but otherwise will be subject to the standard rate. The Government currently has no plans to remove VAT on pilot flight training courses more broadly. VAT has been designed as a broad-based tax on consumption, and the twenty per cent standard rate applies to the vast majority of goods and services. While there are exceptions to the standard rate, these have always been strictly limited by both legal and fiscal considerations.</p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 23/01/2024 11:43:25 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1682994

	registered interest
	date	17/01/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Aviation: Training
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she will consider designating pilot flight training as a higher educational course for the purpose of student loans.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	10090
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/01/2024 answer text <p>The courses designated for Higher Education student finance are set out in secondary legislation.To attract funding, students studying in England must generally be undertaking a course leading to a designated qualification at a provider registered with the Office for Students (OfS).</p><p> </p><p>Registration with the OfS is a requirement in place to provide assurance to the Secretary of State for Education that students are receiving a high-quality academic experience and value for money.</p><p> </p><p>Flying schools are welcome to apply to be on the OfS register. The funding available for designated programmes, which include pilot training, does not normally extend to costs associated with the commercial pilot’s licence and flying experience.</p> answering member constituency Harlow answering member printed Robert Halfon question first answered 24/01/2024 17:03:12 answering member 3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1683009

	registered interest
	date	17/01/2024
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	King's Guards: Uniforms
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is taking steps to end the use of real bear fur for the King’s Guards' caps.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	10091
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2024 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is open to considering the use of using human-made materials to replace natural fur items where they provide a suitable, affordable and sustainable alternative. As such we are prepared to assess accredited testing results of material to establish whether a synthetic alternative could meet the Department’s requirements for a replacement bearskin cap material.</p><p> </p><p>However, to date, and to the Department’s knowledge, an alternative has yet to meet the standards required to provide an effective replacement for the bearskin ceremonial caps.</p> answering member constituency South Suffolk answering member printed James Cartlidge grouped question UIN 10148 10149 10427 question first answered 25/01/2024 17:57:50 answering member 4519 label Biography information for James Cartlidge
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1681905

	registered interest
	date	15/01/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Food: Labelling
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to include method of slaughter as an option in his recent consultation on consumer products food labelling.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	9496
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2024 answer text <p>In 2021, Defra ran a call for evidence to gather data on the impacts of different types of labelling reform for animal welfare, including considerations around imports, production systems and method of slaughter. We received over 1,600 responses and a summary of these responses is available on GOV.UK.</p><p> </p><p>As recently announced by the Secretary of State, we will soon be launching a consultation on clearer labelling. This will explore options for labels and the animal welfare standards behind them, including the period of life which should be covered by these standards.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 22/01/2024 16:48:11 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1682320

	registered interest
	date	11/01/2024
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	National Security
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps his Department is taking to strengthen national security.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	901027
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/01/2024 answer text <p>The Cabinet Office leads and coordinates the UK’s national security crisis response through the Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBR), and national security policy through the National Security Council structures. This includes the National Cyber Strategy, National Security and Investment Programme, and the Biological Security Strategy, all of which the department is taking essential steps to deliver.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Key successes in 2023 included publishing the Integrated Review Refresh, passing the National Security Act, launching the Emergency Alerting scheme and delivering the Atlantic Declaration and risk elements of the AI Summit. So far in 2024, we have launched a new Strategic Dialogue on Biological Security with the US and continued to coordinate the response to the conflict in Gaza and Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Brentwood and Ongar answering member printed Alex Burghart question first answered 18/01/2024 17:56:42 answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1681072

	registered interest
	date	10/01/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Animal Products: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to the e-petition entitled Ban imports of hunting trophies of endangered animals; and whether the Government plans to introduce legislation on that matter in the 2023-24 parliamentary Session.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	8965
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/02/2024 answer text <p>The Government response to this e-petition was given on 9 January 2024. The Government made a manifesto commitment to ban imports of hunting trophies from endangered animals. We are aware of the Rt Hon. Member for Warley’s Private Member’s Bill on this topic. At this time, we have no further plans to introduce primary legislation on this matter.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 02/02/2024 14:09:41 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1678458

	registered interest
	date	18/12/2023
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Aviation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the publication by York Aviation entitled UK Business Survey: Importance of Express Services, published November 2023, what steps his Department is taking to support the growth of the express aviation services sector.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	7315
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/01/2024 answer text <p>The growing importance of air freight in the UK supports the Government’s ambition to drive economic growth and increase the UK’s global impact through unlocking trading opportunities. The Air Freight sector including express aviation services operate almost exclusively in the private sector. We help express aviation services by working to ensure that our comprehensive Air Services Agreement (ASA) portfolio remains fit for purpose.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has recently published a consultation on 4 December on airport slot allocation system reform. The consultation is open until 8 March 2024 and we welcome views from all stakeholders including air freight operators. We also intend to consult during early 2024 on proposals for the next night flight regime at Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted Airports.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Cambridgeshire answering member printed Anthony Browne question first answered 08/01/2024 10:45:11 answering member 4801 label Biography information for Anthony Browne
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1678334

	registered interest
	date	15/12/2023
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	DNA: Databases
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to ensure the security of DNA data held by (a) the NHS Genomic Medicine Service and (b) private providers of NHS healthcare; and whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential for cyber attacks by foreign state-linked companies.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	7190
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/12/2023 answer text <p>Organisations which hold sensitive biological data are subject to the UK General Data Protection Regulation. In addition, organisations such as Genomics England, UK Biobank and NIHR BioResource actively consider national security in decision making about partnerships with companies overseas.</p><p>As part of the new UK Biological Security Strategy, the Government is undertaking a programme of work to assess how we can minimise the risks from biological data to protect our burgeoning bioeconomy, without stifling innovation, and build confidence in sharing personal data to improve health outcomes in the United Kingdom and across the world. The Office for Life Sciences has begun this work, in consultation with relevant Departments and Agencies across Government, and key partners such as Genomics England and UK Biobank.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 19/12/2023 16:10:23 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1678339

	registered interest
	date	15/12/2023
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Aviation: Freight
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is planning to reform the slot allocation process to support air cargo operators.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	7191
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2023 answer text <p>The Government published a consultation on 4 December on airport slot allocation system reform. The consultation includes proposals to make the system more efficient, dynamic and transparent and is designed to balance the interests of both airports and airlines, including air cargo operators. The consultation is open until 8 March 2024 and we welcome views from all stakeholders.</p> answering member constituency South Cambridgeshire answering member printed Anthony Browne question first answered 20/12/2023 11:10:18 answering member 4801 label Biography information for Anthony Browne
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1678340

	registered interest
	date	15/12/2023
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Night Flying: Regulation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is developing new regulations on night flying.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	7192
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2023 answer text <p>The current night flight restrictions set by Government at Gatwick, Heathrow, and Stansted Airports expire in October 2025. We intend to consult during early 2024 on proposals for the next night flight regime, following a consultation earlier this year on night-time noise abatement objectives for these airports.</p> answering member constituency South Cambridgeshire answering member printed Anthony Browne question first answered 20/12/2023 11:08:41 answering member 4801 label Biography information for Anthony Browne
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1678211

	registered interest
	date	14/12/2023
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Health Services: Trade Competitiveness
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she is taking steps to protect (a) Bupa, (b) HCA Healthcare and (c) other major private healthcare providers from (i) BGI Group and (ii) MGI Tech.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	7019
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/12/2023 answer text <p>Organisations which hold sensitive biological data are subject to the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In addition, organisations such as Genomics England, UK Biobank and NIHR BioResource actively consider national security in decision making about partnerships with companies overseas.</p><p>As part of the new UK Biological Security Strategy, the Government is undertaking a programme of work to assess how we can minimise the risks from biological data to protect our burgeoning bioeconomy, without stifling innovation, and build confidence in sharing personal data to improve health outcomes in the United Kingdom and across the world. The Office for Life Sciences has begun this work, in consultation with relevant Departments and Agencies across Government, and key partners such as Genomics England and UK Biobank.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 19/12/2023 16:02:28 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1678214

	registered interest
	date	14/12/2023
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	BGI Group and MGI Tech
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, during the debate on Genomics and national security of 8 March 2023, Official Report column 120WH, what steps she is taking to investigate the national security risks associated with (i) BGI Group and (ii) MGI Tech.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	7020
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/12/2023 answer text <p>Organisations which hold sensitive biological data are subject to the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In addition, organisations such as Genomics England, UK Biobank and NIHR BioResource actively consider national security in decision making about partnerships with companies overseas.</p><p>As part of the new UK Biological Security Strategy, the Government is undertaking a programme of work to assess how we can minimise the risks from biological data to protect our burgeoning bioeconomy, without stifling innovation, and build confidence in sharing personal data to improve health outcomes in the UK and across the world. The Office for Life Sciences has begun this work, in consultation with relevant Departments and Agencies across Government, and key partners such as Genomics England and UK Biobank.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith question first answered 19/12/2023 16:50:21 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1677476

	registered interest
	date	12/12/2023
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Tourism: VAT
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a new tax-free shopping incentive for international visitors.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	6494
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/12/2023 answer text <p>Tax-free shopping continues to be available for all non-UK visitors who purchase items in store if they have them sent directly to their overseas address. This also applies to overseas shoppers who buy from British businesses online and have items delivered to their overseas address.</p><p> </p><p>The independent Office of Budget Responsibility published their assessment of the withdrawal of the previous VAT-free shopping schemes in November 2020. At the time, this showed that the withdrawal of VAT-free shopping would raise a significant amount of revenue and have a limited effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in Great Britain.</p><p> </p><p>The government is accepting representations from industry on VAT-free shopping and considering these, alongside broader data.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 19/12/2023 16:01:03 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1677477

	registered interest
	date	12/12/2023
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Tourism: VAT
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with the retail and travel industries on the effect of the withdrawal of tax-free shopping for international visitors on those sectors.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	6495
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/12/2023 answer text <p>As the UK’s economic and finance ministry, HM Treasury has regular discussions with representatives from a wide range of industries including travel and retail as well as business representative organisations covering many sectors.</p><p> </p><p>As announced in the Autumn Statement, the government is continuing to accept representations from industry on the impact of this policy decision and considering this evidence alongside broader data.</p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 19/12/2023 16:02:52 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1675410

	registered interest
	date	05/12/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Guyana: Venezuela
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, pursuant to the Answer of 28 November 2023 to Question 2552 on Guyana: Venezuela, what recent discussions he has held with his counterparts in Guyana on the border dispute with Venezuela.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	5211
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/12/2023 answer text <p>On 30 November, the Foreign Secretary discussed Venezuela's steps with respect to the region of Essequibo in Guyana with President Ali of Guyana.</p><p>We believe the unilateral actions of Venezuela are unjustified and should cease.</p><p>The UK is clear that the border was settled in 1899 through international arbitration.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 13/12/2023 16:34:58 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1675737

	registered interest
	date	05/12/2023
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Special Educational Needs
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to screen pupils for special educational needs and disabilities in primary schools.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	900565
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2023 answer text <p>Early identification of needs is critical to improving outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and the department understands that early intervention can reduce the impact that a Special Educational Need (SEN) or disability may have in the long term.</p><p>The SEND Code of Practice is clear that meeting the needs of a child with SEN does not require a diagnostic label or test. Instead, the department expects teachers to monitor the progress of all children and young people and provide support where it is needed, including arranging diagnostic tests where appropriate.</p><p>To support all teachers in meeting these expectations, the department is implementing teacher training reforms. These reforms are designed to ensure that teachers have the skills to support all pupils to succeed, including those with SEND. Since 2020, the Initial Teacher Training Core Content Framework (CCF) has included content on adapting teaching to the strengths and needs of all pupils. The department is conducting a review of the CCF and Early Career Framework, which will consider further opportunities to improve how the frameworks support new teachers to meet the needs of pupils with SEND.</p><p>The department’s Universal Services (US) contract brings together SEND-specific continuous professional development and support for the teaching workforce to improve outcomes for children and young people. This includes autism awareness training and resources. Over 100,000 professionals have undertaken autism awareness training since the US programme launched.</p><p>The department has also committed to funding training for up to 7,000 early years staff to gain an accredited Level 3 early years SENCO qualification.</p> answering member constituency Wantage answering member printed David Johnston question first answered 11/12/2023 17:35:03 answering member 4761 label Biography information for David Johnston
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1675236

	registered interest
	date	04/12/2023
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Electronic Travel Authorisations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of applying the same exemptions as apply to the EU ETIAS scheme for airside transit visitors to the UK’s ETA scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	5007
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/12/2023 answer text <p>One of the Government’s main priorities is to keep the UK safe. The Government is firmly committed to strengthening the UK’s border by ensuring that everyone wishing to travel to, or transit through, the UK (except British and Irish citizens) must seek permission in advance of travel.</p><p>The ETA scheme, once fully rolled out, will close the current gap in advance permissions for non-visa nationals, visiting or transiting the UK.</p><p>The information provided in an ETA application will be used to conduct checks and prevent anyone who poses a threat travelling to the UK.</p><p>Whilst the EU has taken a different approach to airside transit passengers in their ETIAS scheme, many of our international partners with similar schemes, such as the US, New Zealand and Canada, do apply the requirements of their respective scheme to transit passengers.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 12/12/2023 17:01:14 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1674586

	registered interest
	date	01/12/2023
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to undertake a post-implementation review of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	4851
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2023 answer text <p>Defra has been working on a post-implementation review (PIR) of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 in line with the requirements of the regulations’ review clause. This review considers whether the regulations have met their objectives, and where there could be scope for further improvements.</p><p>Defra values the engagement of sector partners, local authorities, animal welfare groups, and licensed and unlicensed businesses working in the sector. We will continue a close dialogue with these stakeholders as we work to implement the review’s recommendations.</p><p>We recognise the importance of this PIR, and thus want to ensure that we have had sufficient time to properly consider the findings. The PIR will be published soon.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 11/12/2023 13:27:23 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1673197

	registered interest
	date	27/11/2023
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Antibiotics: Drug Resistance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce the threat of antimicrobial resistance to human health from overuse of antibiotics on industrial farms.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	3771
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2023 answer text <p>The Government takes a ‘One-Health’ approach to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as set out in the ‘<a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fuk-5-year-action-plan-for-antimicrobial-resistance-2019-to-2024&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C52fa9914154a4463f68408dbf0cf2146%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638368545158632709%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=LmraYbpnLBJubTKipjkP9wncqI7OV0iauvrL8kK%2BAak%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">UK 5-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance 2019 to 2024’</a>, which is underpinned by the UK’s 20-year Vision to Contain and Control AMR by 2040 . Defra is a co-signatory with the Department of Health and Social Care on the 5-year National Acton Plan and 20-year vision on AMR, and Defra leads on delivering the animal, plant and environment elements.</p><p> </p><p>The UK is committed to reducing unnecessary use of antibiotics in animals to reduce the risk of development and spread of AMR in animals and humans. In the UK, we have a well-established antimicrobial use and resistance surveillance programme, which includes monitoring of sales and use of antibiotics in animals as well as routine monitoring of AMR in major food-producing species, healthy pigs and poultry. These surveillance programmes allow us to monitor progress and results are published every year in the <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fveterinary-antimicrobial-resistance-and-sales-surveillance-2022&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C52fa9914154a4463f68408dbf0cf2146%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638368545158641017%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=jzeONxTfOSuykUw1RiSOH8QKJ8AKRTqZntckzyHN5jM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">UK Veterinary Antibiotic Resistance Sales and Surveillance</a> (UK-VARSS) report.</p><p> </p><p>The recently published <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fveterinary-antimicrobial-resistance-and-sales-surveillance-2022&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C52fa9914154a4463f68408dbf0cf2146%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638368545158647239%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=HHT5pIbb5llXzNIWN7RiWDiZo03%2BClBb83RywQGb9EM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">UK-VARSS report</a> shows that sales of antibiotics in food producing animals are at their lowest ever level, with a 59% reduction since 2014. This highlights the success of the UK’s voluntary and collaborative approach between Government and the farming and veterinary sectors to make sustainable reductions in antibiotic use whilst ensuring high animal health and welfare. The report also highlights that sales of highest priority, critically important antibiotics (HP-CIAs) have reduced by 82% since 2014 and account for less than half a percent of total sales. This is to ensure that these medically important antibiotics are protected for use in humans.</p><p> </p><p>The newly published third edition of <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fmedia%2F656488f11524e60011a100f8%2F_2681096-v1-Third_UK_One_Health_Report.PDF&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C52fa9914154a4463f68408dbf0cf2146%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638368545158652330%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=GiSvsiKPmSJ2b0pXFrJ8VKqLxKilsEBT0eyOlxiuYgs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">The UK’s One Health report,</a> a joint report from Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA), brings together antibiotic use and resistance data for people and animals and sales of antibiotics in 2019 show that approximately two thirds of antibiotics are used in people whilst one third are used in animals. This report demonstrates the UK Government’s One Health approach to tackling AMR to keep antibiotics working in both people and animals.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 05/12/2023 13:31:32 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1673198

	registered interest
	date	27/11/2023
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Veterinary Services: Regulation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to (a) publish the results of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations consultation and (b) introduce revised regulations.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	3772
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2023 answer text <p>Veterinary medicines play a vital role in protecting our animals’ health and welfare. Defra is updating the Veterinary Medicines Regulations in respect of Great Britain, to ensure the Regulations continue to be fit for purpose, and we consulted on these changes earlier this year. We are finalising the response to the consultation, where we will set out the changes we are taking forward. We are aware that there is significant interest in our proposed changes and we are taking our time to make sure we get it right. We will then seek to introduce the revised Regulations as soon as possible.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer grouped question UIN 3960 question first answered 04/12/2023 17:09:11 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1671746

	registered interest
	date	21/11/2023
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Health Services and Social Services: Disability
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department has made an assessment of the levels of compliance by health and social care providers with the Accessible Information Standard.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	2857
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2023 answer text <p>National Health Service organisations and publicly funded social care providers must comply with the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) to meet the communication needs of patients and carers with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss. NHS England has completed a review of the AIS to help ensure that everyone’s communication needs are met in health and care provision. The review considered the effectiveness of the current AIS, how the standard is implemented and enforced in practice, and identified recommendations for improvement.</p><p>One of the aims of the review was to strengthen assurance of implementation of the AIS, and a self-assessment framework has been developed to support providers of NHS and social care services to measure their performance against the AIS and develop improvement action plans to address gaps in implementation. The self-assessment framework has also been designed to help the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to gain insight into people's experiences and whether their accessible communication needs are being met, and help CQC better understand organisational performance and to include that in the CQC assessment framework for provider organisations.</p><p>Following publication of the revised standard, NHS England will continue work to support its implementation with awareness raising, communication and engagement and updated e-learning modules on the AIS to ensure NHS staff are better aware of the standard and their roles and responsibilities in implementing it.</p> answering member constituency Lewes answering member printed Maria Caulfield question first answered 01/12/2023 13:33:09 answering member 4492 label Biography information for Maria Caulfield
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1671983

	registered interest
	date	21/11/2023
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Bowel Cancer: Screening
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to help increase access to bowel cancer screenings.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	2858
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2023 answer text <p>Based on advice from the UK National Screening Committee, the National Health Service is currently extending the age criteria for bowel cancer screening from between 60 and 74 years old so that screening will be available from the age of 50 years old; this is due to be completed by 2024/25. This will increase access for people who would have otherwise not been able to access the service.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 27/11/2023 16:11:07 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1670746

	registered interest
	date	17/11/2023
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	NHS: Drugs
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of (a) updates to the programme manual used by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence including Rapid Access to Managed Access and (b) the introduction of the Innovative Medicines Fund.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	2397
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/11/2023 answer text <p>The Government is committed to supporting rapid patient access to effective new medicines in a way that is fair to all parties and represents value to the National Health Service. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) plays an important role in supporting patient access to effective new medicines and is able to recommend most new medicines for use in the NHS. Where there is too much clinical uncertainty for NICE to be able to recommend routine funding, it is able to recommend medicines for use through the Cancer Drugs Fund or Innovative Medicines Fund which make promising medicines available to patients while further real-world evidence is collected to inform a final NICE recommendation.</p><p>NICE is responsible for the methods and processes it uses in the evaluation of new medicines and the changes that it has recently made to its evaluation processes will enable it to produce faster guidance on simpler, low-risk treatments. NICE and NHS England are exploring options for rapid entry to managed access (REMA) that build on the experience of the Cancer Drugs Fund and Innovative Medicines Fund to support managed access to medicines. NICE has not yet made any changes to its health technology evaluation manual related to REMA.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 22/11/2023 15:53:14 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith