Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 25 June 2025 · 3 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Patrick Hurley (Southport) (Lab) raised concerns about poor mobile phone signal coverage in his constituency, urging for closer collaboration between the Government and mobile companies to address rural blackspots.
  • Daniel Francis (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Lab) inquired about the Government's strategy to phase out the use of dogs in scientific procedures, to which the Minister affirmed the Government's commitment to ending animal testing, including for dogs.
  • Uma Kumaran (Stratford and Bow) (Lab) highlighted the innovation in her constituency, particularly the success of Healthtech-1, a startup that automates GP administration. The Minister noted the company's receipt of a recent Innovate UK grant.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patrick Hurley Lab Southport
Environment
Context

MP noted significant mobile phone signal issues affecting constituents' opportunities. The MP has tabled multiple questions on this issue.

Question

Across the northern part of my constituency, from Marshside over to Hesketh Bank, the mobile phone signal is uniformly terrible, meaning that my constituents are missing out on opportunities. Will the Minister work more closely with industry to identify and deal with those rural mobile blackspots to further the Government’s growth mission?

Answer from The Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms (Chris Bryant)

I know that that is an issue in my hon. Friend's constituency because he has tabled at least 10 questions to me on the subject over the last week, all of which we have answered in time. I am keen to ensure that we as MPs persuade the mobile companies to invest more in getting better mobile coverage across the country, both in rural areas and in urban ones.

Partly answered
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Q2 Daniel Francis Lab Bexleyheath and Crayford
Science & Technology
Context

MP asked about the Government's strategy to support alternative methods in scientific procedures, focusing on commitments to phase out dog use.

Question

As the Government produce their strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods in scientific procedures, what steps will the Minister be taking to ensure that that includes specific commitments to phase out the use of dogs in scientific and regulatory procedures, replacing them with modern, human-specific technologies?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Feryal Clark)

The Government remain committed to ending the use of all animals, including dogs, in scientific procedures, replacing them with modern, human-relevant technologies. Our long-term goal, as set out in our 2024 manifesto commitment, is to phase out animal testing entirely. As my hon. Friend said, we will publish a detailed road map this year alongside convening roundtables with researchers, industry and animal welfare organisations to ensure that we achieve that and hit the target.

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Q3 Uma Kumaran Lab Stratford and Bow
NHS Science & Technology
Context

MP highlighted Healthtech-1 as an example of home-grown innovation from her constituency.

Question

Stratford and Bow is a thriving hub of innovation, which is why the Prime Minister chose it for the launch of the AI opportunities action plan earlier this year. One brilliant example is Healthtech-1. Once a kitchen table start-up of doctors and tech experts, it now automates admin for 22% of GP practices, and its new patient registration system has saved the NHS a staggering 183 years of time. What are the Government doing to support home-grown innovation like that to scale up its work?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Feryal Clark)

My hon. Friend’s constituency is indeed a hotbed of innovation. She will be delighted to know that Healthtech-1 has benefited from a range of Government support to date, including a recent Innovate UK grant.

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