Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 5 December 2024 · 19 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 11 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister responded to concerns about Russia's aggressive cyber behavior and announced a new incident unit to assist allies.
  • Government made last-minute changes to documents for interim compensation claims related to contaminated blood products, aiming to resolve initial payments by year-end.
  • Government plans to take steps to reduce unnecessary consultancy spending, aiming to stop non-essential spending and halve overall spending on consultancy.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alison Bennett Lib Dem Mid Sussex
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

The question is prompted by the recent NATO cyber-defence conference and the government's response to Russia's aggressive behavior.

Question

If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities regarding the increasing aggression from Russia and plans for responding to cyber-attacks against allies.

Answer from Pat McFadden

Last week I addressed the NATO cyber-defence conference about aggressive and reckless behaviour from Russia, including attacks on NATO members. A new incident unit was announced to help allies respond to cyber-attacks. An ambitious plan for change will be set out in this House shortly.

Answered
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Q2 Alison Bennett Lib Dem Mid Sussex
NHS
Context

The question is prompted by recent debates on the infected blood compensation scheme and delays in payment to victims.

Question

Why did the Government make last-minute changes to the accepted documents for interim compensation claims required from estates of people who died after receiving contaminated blood products? What action is being taken to tackle delays?

Answer from Pat McFadden

The Paymaster General, who leads on this issue, is working with affected groups to ensure initial payments are out by the end of the year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific action to address delays

How: Under Review

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Q3 Gill German Lab Clwyd North
Employment Children & Families
Context

The question is prompted by the publication of the “Get Britain Working” White Paper and efforts to tackle child poverty.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that helping people, particularly parents, into decent, well-paid jobs is a key part of the agenda for tackling child poverty?

Answer from Ellie Reeves

Tackling child poverty is at the heart of this Government's mission. The Employment Rights Bill plays a crucial role in increasing parental employment, earnings, and hours.

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Q4 Alex Burghart Con Brentwood and Ongar
Standards & Ethics
Context

The question is prompted by the former Transport Secretary's resignation and concerns about propriety and ethics.

Question

Was the Cabinet Office's propriety and ethics team informed of the former Transport Secretary's conviction before she was appointed as a Minister?

Answer from Pat McFadden

All Cabinet Ministers have an interview and make declarations to the propriety and ethics team before being appointed to the Government.

Not addressed: confirmation that PET was informed of her conviction

How: All Cabinet Ministers Declare To Pet

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Q5 Alex Burghart Con Brentwood and Ongar
Standards & Ethics
Context

The question is prompted by analysis showing high-risk contracts worth over £15 billion were awarded during the pandemic.

Question

What steps are the Government taking to ensure procurement decisions are in the public interest and avoid conflicts of interest?

Answer from Georgia Gould

The Chancellor announced the appointment of Tom Hayhoe as the covid counter-fraud commissioner to investigate waste and fraud during the pandemic.

Not addressed: steps to ensure public interest in procurement decisions

How: Investigating Past Mistakes

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Q6 Lloyd Hatton Lab South Dorset
Democracy & Elections
Context

The question is prompted by the introduction of a ten-minute rule Bill to bring in proportional representation for Westminster and local elections.

Question

Will the Secretary of State commit to giving the Proportional Representation Bill Government time so it can be fully debated?

Answer from Pat McFadden

We have no plans to change the electoral system, and I cannot give her the Government time that she requires.

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Q7 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
Veterans
Context

The question is prompted by the need to commemorate former firefighters, police officers and other public servants who have died in service.

Question

Can the Minister update the House on progress made in establishing the Elizabeth Emblem?

Answer from Abena Oppong-Asare

Last month, the Government announced the first recipients of the Elizabeth Emblem. The next of kin of more than 30 former firefighters, police officers and other public servants who have died in service received the award.

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Q8 Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife
Policing & Resources Justice & Courts
Context

DS Ross Hunt and PC George Taylor, who were murdered in the line of duty in 1976 and 1983 respectively, did not receive the George Cross due to administrative errors.

Question

The families of DS Ross Hunt and PC George Taylor have been awarded the Elizabeth Emblem after a campaign by myself and others. However, these brave police officers did not receive the George Cross due to administrative oversight. Can a Cabinet Minister meet with me to discuss this issue so that their bravery is recognised properly?

Answer from Abena Oppong-Asare

I thank the hon. Member for raising this matter, and pay tribute to those involved. If she writes to us, we will follow this up.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask of meeting with a Cabinet Minister was not directly addressed

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Q9 Christopher Vince Lab Co-op Harlow
Economy
Context

£29 million was spent on Sir Frederick Gibberd College in Harlow, only for it to be deemed unsafe and demolished.

Question

Due to the economic challenges we inherited, every penny of public money must be spent wisely. In my constituency, £29 million was wasted on a college that had to be pulled down because it was declared unsafe. What measures will the Government take to ensure wise spending, avoid unnecessary consultancy costs, and deliver value for constituents?

Answer from Georgia Gould

Under the Conservative Government, too much taxpayers' money was wasted on eye-watering consultancy contracts. We are taking steps to stop all non-essential Government consultancy spending this year and halve Government spending on consultancy in future years.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask of ensuring wise spending was not directly addressed with concrete steps

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Q10 Tessa Munt Lib Dem Wells and Mendip Hills
Standards & Ethics
Context

The latest departmental lobbying transparency data was released two months late, covering the period April to June 2024. The public will learn of new Government meetings only in December.

Question

Last week, the Government released their latest departmental lobbying transparency data which was two months overdue and relates to a past period. The public won't know about recent meetings until December at the earliest. Will the Government set a timeline for creating a central database with monthly updates to improve transparency?

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

The Government are committed to transparency around lobbying. That is why we will have regular transparency updates. The approach that we take will frankly be in stark contrast with that of the Government who preceded us.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about a timeline was not addressed with concrete details

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Q11 Tristan Osborne Lab Chatham and Aylesford
Foreign Affairs Standards & Ethics Local Government
Context

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster spoke at a cyber-security conference, while the questioner's local council faced a recent foreign actor-led cyber-attack.

Question

Last week, I listened to the Chancellor's speech on cybersecurity. My local council suffered a cyber-attack by a possible foreign actor within the past four weeks. What measures has he taken to improve cybersecurity resilience in local councils and critical national infrastructure?

Answer from Pat McFadden

I am very sorry to hear about the cyber-attack against my hon. Friend's local authority. Such attacks can have a serious impact on local residents. The Government are determined to strengthen cyber-resilience in the UK. We publish guidance and meet with stakeholders.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about measures was not directly addressed with concrete steps

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Q12 Brendan O'Hara SNP Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Scotland
Context

A special envoy role was offered to a person in Scotland but not accepted.

Question

The people of Scotland lament the special envoy offer that went unanswered. Could I suggest to the Minister he inform No. 10 about our known position on this issue?

Answer from Pat McFadden

I thought that the hon. Member was going to give me a Christmas greeting, but I am still waiting. In the absence of any envoys, he will have to put up with me instead as the Minister for intergovernmental relations.

Not addressed: The specific ask about informing No. 10 was not addressed

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Q13 Andy MacNae Lab Rossendale and Darwen
Context

Important mission milestones were announced recently.

Question

Given the important announcements about mission milestones, could we hear more details on the work of the mission boards that led to these decisions?

Answer from Pat McFadden

I will have more to say on this shortly, but it is important that Governments set out what they are trying to do and on what timescale. We take seriously the need for clarity in our goals and timelines.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about mission board work was not directly addressed with concrete information

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Q14 Jim Allister TUV North Antrim
Northern Ireland
Context

The Northern Ireland Assembly is scheduled to vote on the European Parliament's legislative power for the next four years in 300 areas of law affecting Northern Ireland, without public consultation.

Question

Next Tuesday, the Northern Ireland Assembly will be asked to approve that the European Parliament should make laws affecting Northern Ireland over the next four years. The Cabinet Office issued an incomplete explanatory document and there has been no public consultation as per Article 18 of the UK declaration. Why is this proceeding without proper process?

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

I will look at the specific document that the hon. and learned Gentleman refers to. The Government support the Windsor framework which we voted for in opposition and are committed to implementing it in good faith.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about why no consultation occurred was not directly addressed

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Q15 Lola McEvoy Lab Darlington
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The MP expressed concerns about the benefits of public money spent on private contracts in her constituency.

Question

Public procurement is a vital lever for delivering our growth mission, and growth must be felt by people in every part of our country. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that when taxpayers' money is spent on private contracts, the key workers delivering the contract and local communities such as mine in Darlington maximise the benefits of that public money?

Answer from Georgia Gould

I thank my hon. Friend for her question and for the time she spent with me last week setting out the opportunities of procurement and the needs of her community in Darlington. We have heard from the whole House today how important it is to back small and medium- sized enterprises that have roots in communities, and we are determined that the new national policy procurement statement will do that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify concrete steps or policies addressing local community benefits from public contracts.

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Q16 Graham Stuart Con Beverley and Holderness
Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP raised concerns about the propriety of a Cabinet appointment involving a convicted fraudster.

Question

I am delighted to give Christmas greetings to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and I am sure that most of us in the House feel a great deal of respect for him. As the Prime Minister knew he was appointing a convicted fraudster to the Cabinet, was it not incumbent on him to tell the propriety and ethics team? If I can slip a second question in, Mr Speaker, will the right hon. Gentleman, who is committed to and leads in the Government on transparency and openness, all of which have been promised, undertake—notwithstanding the fact that he has not looked at these declarations—to find out and let the House know whether she declared it to the House?

Answer from Pat McFadden

As I said to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Alex Burghart) a few moments ago, all Secretaries of State give their declaration to the propriety and ethics team upon appointment. The matter was concluded last Friday with the Transport Secretary's resignation. She has been replaced by a new Secretary of State, and she set out her reasons for resigning in her resignation letter. If the right hon. Member has not had a copy, I am quite happy to make it available to him.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address whether the propriety and ethics team was informed of the Cabinet appointment involving a convicted fraudster.

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Q17 Polly Billington Lab East Thanet
Religion & Faith
Context

The MP referred to the Church of England's handling of John Smyth and its responsibility under public authorities for Freedom of Information.

Question

I welcome the Government's commitment to a duty of candour for public bodies. In the light of the appalling crimes of John Smyth, who left over 100 children assaulted and traumatised while senior members of the Church of England looked the other way, what steps is the Minister considering in conjunction with the Church so that bishops, dioceses, cathedrals and national church institutions are designated as public authorities for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000?

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

In relation to my hon. Friend's second point, it is right that the Church of England looks very carefully now at its procedures in the light of what has happened and been brought forward. In relation to the duty of candour, I have no idea why the Opposition Front Benchers were laughing about that. It is a hugely important reform that we are bringing forward, and it will make a significant difference across public service.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify any steps towards designating Church institutions as public authorities under FOIA.

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Q18 Max Wilkinson Lib Dem Cheltenham
Defence Science & Technology
Context

The MP welcomed the confirmation of £20 million from the Government for Golden Valley and inquired about its future inclusion in the national cyber strategy.

Question

The Golden Valley development adjacent to GCHQ in Cheltenham will pay a vital role in our nation's cyber-security. The recent confirmation of £20 million from the Government for that development is welcome, but will the Secretary of State confirm that the project will continue to feature in future iterations of the national cyber strategy?

Answer from Pat McFadden

The best thing to do when it comes to a specific place is for me to look into the exact situation and come back to the hon. Member. I assure him, as I have said several times during this session, that cyber-security is extremely important to the Government. It is not just the Government's job; cyber-security has to be taken seriously by business and the whole of society.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary did not confirm whether Golden Valley will continue in future iterations of the strategy.

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Q19 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

The MP welcomed the Government's commitment to the infected blood compensation scheme and inquired about registration numbers and delivery timelines.

Question

I welcome the Government's commitment to the infected blood compensation scheme, and everybody in the House and across the country is pleased to see it. As of this month, how many individuals have registered for infected blood compensation payments, and can the Minister provide an update for the delivery of compensation in 2025? I would be pleased to get those figures for the United Kingdom, but in particular for Northern Ireland.

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

I am more than happy to write to the hon. Gentleman with the figures for Northern Ireland, as I have done in the past; he knows that I am always happy to do that. On the timescale for payments, I have already indicated that the first payments for infected people will be out the door by the end of this year. I have undertaken to bring forward regulations relating to the affected people, and to get them through the House—subject, of course, to the House's approval—by 31 March of next year, so that payments to the affected can start in 2025.

Answered
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