Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 24 April 2025 · 8 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial merit-based appointments prioritize diversity in the public service.
  • The Paymaster General will negotiate fisheries rights in the national interest.
  • Government committed to establishing a public record of inquiry recommendations.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gurinder Singh Josan Lab Smethwick
Women & Equalities Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP raises concerns about maintaining public confidence in the government's ability to work for all citizens by ensuring diverse representation across public institutions.

Question

I am sure the Minister will agree that the diversity of those in positions of responsibility across all areas of UK Government and public institutions is key to maintaining confidence among the British public that the Government are working for all of us. Diversity is important across all the various equality strands as well as the various geographical areas of the UK’s nations and regions. Will he detail what work has been done to review the diversity of public appointments in the UK and to maintain and improve that diversity, particularly in view of the changes proposed to public bodies?

Answer from Pat McFadden (The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster)

Merit will always be the primary consideration in any appointment, but diversity is important, and we are not giving up on it. We want to see a public service that looks like the country and speaks with all the accents that make this country a great place. The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Queen’s Park and Maida Vale (Georgia Gould) recently spoke at the civil service social mobility conference to bring home that message, which will reflect what we do on public appointments.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific details about work done to review or improve diversity in public appointments.

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Q2 Alex Burghart Con Brentwood and Ongar
Brexit
Context

The MP asks for an update on the government's EU fishing negotiations, noting that there has been much speculation in the press since the last update.

Question

Will the Paymaster General give us an update on his negotiations with the European Union? He has not updated the House since the beginning of February, and there has been much speculation in the press. Will he take this opportunity to rule out dropping the right to annual quota negotiations on fishing?

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds (The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office)

We will negotiate in the interests of our fishers and understand and implement our marine protection rights. As I am sure the hon. Gentleman will understand, I will not give a running commentary on the negotiations, but we are clear that we will negotiate in the national interest and in line with the manifesto that the Government, with 411 Members of Parliament, were elected on.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific details about the current status or plans for negotiations but focused on general principles.

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Q3 Joe Powell Lab Kensington and Bayswater
Justice & Courts Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The MP discusses the eighth anniversary of the Grenfell tragedy, highlighting skepticism about the government's commitment to implementing changes from public inquiries. They advocate for a national oversight mechanism to ensure meaningful change.

Question

As we approach the eighth anniversary of Grenfell, there is still no justice for the bereaved and survivors, but we do now have a Government response to the national inquiry. Grenfell campaigners have been clear with me that they want to see the promised changes implemented, but they are sceptical, given previous failures of the state to learn the lessons from past disasters. Does the Minister agree that as part of, or alongside, the very welcome commitment to a Hillsborough law, there should be a national oversight mechanism to ensure that when inquiries are set up, they lead to meaningful change?

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds (Nick Thomas-Symonds)

My hon. Friend is a powerful advocate on this issue. It is incredibly important that the Government are held to account for the implementation of inquiry recommendations. It is why the Government have already committed to establishing a publicly accessible record of recommendations made by public inquiries since 2024. We will ensure that becomes standard practice in the future. We are also considering wider reform of the inquiries landscape.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not explicitly commit to a national oversight mechanism but acknowledged the importance of accountability and is considering reforms.

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Q4 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Brexit Foreign Affairs
Context

Press reports indicated that negotiations with the EU on security and defence were linked to the review of trade and cooperation agreement, specifically access to fisheries. The question seeks clarity on these reports.

Question

Mr Carmichael asked if press reports linking EU security and defence talks to fisheries are accurate, seeking confirmation from the Paymaster General that there will be no linkage between those negotiations.

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

There is no such link, and the current arrangements will end in 2026. The Government will negotiate in the interests of fishers and consider responsibilities to the marine environment.

Answered
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Q5 Johanna Baxter Lab Paisley and Renfrewshire South
NHS
Context

The Infected Blood Compensation Authority provides compensation to victims of the infected blood scandal. Constituents are concerned about delays in receiving compensation.

Question

Ms Baxter noted that funding is available for compensation but expressed concern over slow processing times, asking what steps will be taken to speed up payments to affected individuals.

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

Payments started for infected individuals last year and will begin for those affected by the end of this year. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority is operationally independent, but steps will be taken to expedite compensation.

Partly answered
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Q6 Roger Gale Con Herne Bay and Sandwich
Policing & Resources Veterans
Context

A submission was made for a medal recognizing the service of those injured on duty and invalided out, supported by the Policing Minister at the time but has not been addressed.

Question

Sir Roger Gale asked about a pending proposal for a medal recognising injured retired police officers, which had support previously but seems to have stalled in the Cabinet Office. He requested an update on its status.

Answer from Pat McFadden

The Minister will investigate the current position regarding this matter and provide a written response to the right hon. Member.

Partly answered
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Q7 Jim Allister TUV North Antrim
Immigration Standards & Ethics
Context

The Government regularly supply data to the European Union about UK-Ireland border checks but refuse to provide it to Members of this House.

Question

Mr Allister inquired why the Government share data on border checks with the EU but not with Members of Parliament, suggesting a lack of transparency and oversight.

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

The Minister is willing to look into this matter raised by Mr Allister. He hopes that securing a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement will reduce checks on the Irish sea border.

Partly answered
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Q8 Marie Goldman Lib Dem Chelmsford
Context

The 36th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster was marked, coinciding with media speculation about potential changes to proposed legislation.

Question

Ms Goldman sought clarity on whether there are plans to alter or weaken proposed legislation related to the Hillsborough disaster in light of recent reports and rumours.

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

The Minister acknowledged the commitment to bringing in a Hillsborough law, emphasising the importance of working closely with families to ensure it is right and fair.

Partly answered
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