Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 25 May 2023 · 14 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 11 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Simon Jupp expressed concern over flash flood damage to homes in East Devon, urging insurance companies to support affected residents.
  • Jim McMahon criticized the Government's Farm to Fork summit, describing it as ineffective in addressing the cost of living crisis.
  • Luke Hall inquired about riverbank improvements along the River Severn, suggesting preparations for rising tide heights and extreme weather events.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Simon Jupp
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

Homes in Newton Poppleford, Tipton St John, Metcombe and Venn Ottery were badly damaged by recent flash floods. The MP visited affected residents.

Question

Homes in Newton Poppleford, Tipton St John, Metcombe and Venn Ottery in my East Devon constituency were badly damaged by recent flash floods. I went to see the residents, and the result of the flooding is heartbreaking. Insurance companies really need to step up and support those residents, who rallied around each other in very difficult circumstances. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss the multi-agency response to the recent flooding, because the risk of floods in East Devon is not going anywhere?

Answer from Therese Coffey (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

My hon. Friend is undoubtedly a doughty champion for his constituents, and I am very conscious of the impact that flooding can have on communities, households and businesses. The Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton Deane (Rebecca Pow), is happy to meet him, and she has recently met the Environment Agency. We will continue to make sure that we deliver thousands of flood schemes, which will benefit not only East Devon but every part of the country. We will also continue to try to improve the local and national response.

Answered
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Q2 Jim McMahon Labour (Co-op) Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

A year ago, the MP requested an urgent meeting on food security. The Government's Farm to Fork summit was described as a PR stunt that failed to address the cost of living crisis.

Question

A year on from my request from this Dispatch Box for an urgent meeting on food security, the Government's Farm to Fork summit was described by attendees as “no more than a PR stunt” that will do nothing to help the cost of living crisis. The Secretary of State also knows that fishing is a key pillar of our food security, but it is under grave threat on Teesside. Given that crustacean die-offs continue to cripple generations of fishers, will she join me in demanding that the inevitable “truth on Teesside” public inquiry includes this environmental and economic disaster in its terms of reference?

Answer from Therese Coffey (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Yet again, the shadow Secretary of State does not seem to trust civil servants. Our chief scientific adviser did a thorough job of going through what has happened on Teesside and what is available. Organisations such as the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science have also looked at recent incidents, and we will continue to use our scientists to investigate, as appropriate.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not support including these issues in the public inquiry's terms of reference

How: Does Not Seem To Trust Civil Servants

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Q3 Luke Hall Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

Seven parish councils along the River Severn have joined forces under the chairmanship of Mr Barry Turner to ask for improvements along the riverbank.

Question

Seven parish councils along the River Severn from Aust to Sharpness have joined forces under the chairmanship of local resident Mr Barry Turner to ask the Environment Agency for improvements along the riverbank, in preparation for rising tide heights and more extreme weather events. Will the Minister meet me, Mr Turner and the local councillor, Matthew Riddle, to discuss their concerns and help find a solution?

Answer from Rebecca Pow (Minister for Environment

I believe the Environment Agency has already met Mr Turner and his group, and I am happy to meet my hon. Friend too. Obviously, I must stress that managing coastal change in those legacy landfill sites, some of which have historical issues, is very much the responsibility of the local coastal protection authorities. The Government are taking action, looking at what priority action we could take on these historical landfill sites to find a way forward in these many and varied areas.

Answered
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Q4 Judith Cummins Lab Bradford South
Economy Energy Business & Trade
Context

Sugar prices have risen by a massive 47% in the past year, with predictions of further increases.

Question

Yesterday, we learned that sugar prices have risen by a massive 47% in the past year, and industry experts predict that they will rise again this autumn, because of the high energy costs of extracting and refining sugar. What steps is the Minister taking to support the food and drink sector throughout this period of extreme inflationary pressure, so that these costs are not, yet again, passed on to consumers?

Answer from Mark Spencer (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries)

The hon. Lady should be aware that I meet British Sugar regularly. We are keen to help and support it with new technology, with investment in genetic technologies to improve sugar beet yields. We will continue to have those conversations. We are very much aware of the pressures on global sugar prices, which is why we need a thriving and productive sugar market here in the UK.

Partly answered

How: Under Review, Will Continue To Have

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Q5 Sheryll Murray Con
Immigration Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Local farmers need seasonal worker visas extended to a nine-month period from six.

Question

My local farmers have told me that they need their seasonal worker visas extended to a nine-month period from six. Will the Department work with the Home Office to have that extended?

Answer from Mark Spencer (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries)

I thank my hon. Friend for her question. We are very aware of the challenges those businesses are facing, which is why we have increased the number of visas. We have also rolled over 45,000 visas to next year, with an extra 10,000 if required. We will continue to have conversations with our friends at the Home Office on how we can best support that sector.

Partly answered

How: Will Continue To Have

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Q6 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Energy Environment
Context

The cost of cleaning up waterways is being passed on to consumers through higher bills.

Question

Should not the cost of cleaning up our waterways be met by the profits of water companies, not higher bills paid for by hard-pressed consumers?

Answer from Rebecca Pow (Minister for Environment

The hon. Gentleman may not be aware that dividends and profits of water companies cannot come from customers—[Interruption.] If the water companies want to compensate people and they have not done the right thing by the environment, that will not come out of customers' pockets. This Government have put in a huge plan for £56 billion-worth of investment by the water companies to clean up our waters—this is more than ever before.

Partly answered

How: Dividends And Profits Cannot Come From Customers

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Q7 Andrea Leadsom Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Dog-loving constituents are concerned about a potential ban on e-collars, citing increased sheep attacks and harmful electric fences in Wales where such devices are banned.

Question

My constituents have concerns over a possible ban on e-collars. In Wales, where these devices are prohibited, there has been an increase in sheep attacks, leading to the use of more harmful electric fences. Will my right hon. Friend consider some form of licensing or regulation for their usage instead?

Answer from Trudy Harrison

The use of collars emitting spray or vibration will be allowed, and invisible fence containment systems are also excluded from this proposal. I can arrange for my right hon. Friend to meet with the relevant authority in another place as this matter has yet to be debated in the Lords.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not directly address whether a licensing or regulatory approach would be considered.

How: Provided Limited Details, Changed Subject

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Q8 Kenny MacAskill
Business & Trade Environment
Context

The proposed accession to the trans-Pacific partnership required concessions for Malaysia on palm oil tariffs, raising concerns about deforestation.

Question

Negotiations for the comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-Pacific partnership included concessions to Malaysia on palm oil tariffs. What role did DEFRAD have in these negotiations? Will the Government ensure back letters protect social and environmental interests?

Answer from Therese Coffey

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was heavily involved. Our FLEGT regulations will ensure sustainable supply chains. However, no specific mention of back letters to protect social or environmental interests.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No direct commitment on back letters protecting social or environmental concerns.

How: Provided Limited Details, Changed Subject

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Q9 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The NFU's survey shows poor mobile signal and broadband coverage for businesses in rural areas.

Question

Only 21% of farmers report reliable mobile signals across their farms, and fewer than half have adequate broadband. What are my right hon. Friend and the Department doing to prioritize increased connectivity for rural businesses?

Answer from Mark Spencer

Good broadband and connectivity are priorities across rural areas. We continue conversations with the relevant department but did not specify any concrete actions or timelines.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific commitments on prioritizing connectivity were made.

How: Provided Limited Details, Changed Subject

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Q10 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Immigration Migrants & Borders
Context

Fishing communities face boat tie-ups due to the Home Office's lack of a bespoke visa scheme for fishing crews.

Question

Boats are tying up due to inability to get crew, as the Home Office has not conceded on a visa scheme. Can the Minister confirm if his Department counts such boats and provide numbers?

Answer from Mark Spencer

Fishermen are now eligible for shortage occupation list visas. Conversations with both the fishing industry and Home Office continue but did not provide specific numbers of affected boats.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific numbers or totals were provided.

How: Provided Limited Details, Changed Subject

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Q11 Neil Hudson Con Epping Forest
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee visited a Dogs Trust rescue centre for their inquiry on pet welfare and abuse.

Question

Large numbers of puppies and dogs are smuggled into the UK each year. Can my right hon. Friend confirm that the Government will commit to bringing back animal welfare legislation?

Answer from Therese Coffey

Yes, I can reassure you and the House of a commitment to stamp out horrific practices but no specific legislative details were provided.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific legislative actions or timeline were mentioned.

How: Provided Limited Details, Changed Subject

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Q12 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The Government's Fur Market consultation was launched over two years ago, yet a formal response is still pending.

Question

Why has it taken so long for Ministers to respond formally to the Fur Market consultation launched more than two years ago?

Answer from Therese Coffey

The Government is working on various issues and will provide a response in due course but did not specify why there has been a delay.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No reasons for the delay were provided.

How: Provided Limited Details, Changed Subject

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Q13 Aaron Bell
Environment
Context

The BBC's “Panorama” programme highlighted the misery inflicted by Walleys Quarry Landfill, affecting constituents in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent.

Question

Not one but two rogue operators are causing issues at Walleys Quarry Landfill. What will the Minister do to ensure justice and accountability for affected constituents?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

An enforcement notice was issued requiring further action around waste acceptance procedures. The Environment Agency is working hard to reduce risks but did not specify concrete steps.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific actions were outlined for addressing the situation and providing justice.

How: Provided Limited Details, Changed Subject

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Q14 Peter Dowd Lab Bootle
Business & Trade Environment
Context

The Horticulture Trades Association seeks further support for developing responsibly resourced, high-quality alternatives to peat.

Question

Will the Minister meet me and representatives of the HTA to discuss additional steps the Government can take to support the development of viable peat alternatives?

Answer from Trudy Harrison

I have already met James Barnes at HTA and will continue to do so. I also offer to have a meeting with the hon. Member to discuss how we are supporting the horticultural industry, including visits during the Chelsea Flower Show week.

Answered
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