Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 17 December 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

  • Zoe Franklin asked the Secretary of State about Ofcom's reliance on voluntary measures regarding pro-suicide forums, seeking stronger government intervention.
  • Calvin Bailey inquired about the Secretary of State's collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the national armaments director to develop a cohesive approach to the space industry for national security.
  • Julia Lopez questioned the Secretary of State on the costs of a pharmaceutical deal to the NHS and requested the publication of the full legal text for transparency.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Zöe Franklin Lib Dem Guildford
Crime & Law Enforcement NHS
Context

The Molly Rose Foundation’s latest report highlights concerns from bereaved families about the voluntary measures implemented by Ofcom to address pro-suicide forums.

Question

The Molly Rose Foundation’s latest report makes it clear that bereaved families are deeply concerned that Ofcom has relied on voluntary measures, such as geo-blocking, to deal with pro-suicide forums. Can the Secretary of State explain what steps her Government are taking to ensure Ofcom moves beyond voluntary compliance and uses its full Online Safety Act 2023 powers to require the removal or blocking of suicide-promoting content?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Liz Kendall)

I thank the hon. Lady for her question. This is a serious issue, and we need to make swifter and stronger progress on it. I regularly meet Ofcom and its chief executive; indeed, I did so yesterday. I want to make sure that we do not have the delays and that we have stronger action, and this is a point I will be bringing up in future.

Partly answered

How: Under Review

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Q2 Calvin Bailey Lab Leyton and Wanstead
Defence Business & Trade
Context

The space sector is considered critical for national security, particularly in countering Russia and defending Europe.

Question

The space sector is critical in enabling our security and our ability to counter Russia and defend Europe. Can the Secretary of State explain how she is working with the new national armaments director and the Ministry of Defence to develop a more cohesive approach to the space industry, which delivers national security and economic growth?

Answer from The Minister for Digital Government and Data (Ian Murray)

Space is fundamental to many civil and defence requirements. It is vital that we collaborate closely across Government and with our allies. Just last month, the European Space Agency Council of Ministers committed £1.7 billion of funding focused on just that: growth and national security.

Answered
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Q3 Julia Lopez Con Hornchurch and Upminster
NHS Business & Trade
Context

Ministers are making claims about a pharmaceutical deal with the US, but life sciences firms question these claims due to lack of transparency.

Question

Life sciences firms are telling me that unless the Government reveal what is actually in the deal, those claims are completely hollow. Can the Secretary of State reveal—she could not tell us this two weeks ago—how much the deal is costing the NHS and when she will publish the full legal text, so that we know the details of what the most favoured nation mitigations actually are?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Liz Kendall)

I may have to offer the hon. Lady a mince pie because she is talking baubles. This pharmaceutical deal will deliver faster access to new medicines for NHS patients and the security and stability that our world-leading pharmaceutical sector needs, including 0% tariffs on its exports to America for three years. We are also updating the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines for the first time in 20 years. This is a significant deal, which the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry has welcomed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: financial impact on NHS and full legal text publication

How: Talking About Benefits

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