Al Pinkerton MP: written questions 2025
967 published records · newest first.
Written questions
NHS: DogsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101209More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of charities providing dog therapy within NHS services on patients in Surrey Heath constituency.
Answer: The Department has not made an assessment of the potential impact of charities providing dog therapy within National Health Services on patients in the Surrey Heath constituency. The Department does not have current plans to partner with charities that pr...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordErasmus+ ProgrammeDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101119More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of rejoining the Erasmus student exchange scheme on (a) society and (b) culture.
Answer: Erasmus+ opens up high quality international opportunities for learners and educators, helping to build skills, confidence, and global outlook while strengthening UK institutions through partnerships and innovation.It supports inclusion and economic growt...
Answered 9 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDiethylstilbestrol : WomenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101117More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of stilbestrol on women.
Answer: The Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency continuously assesses the benefit and risk balance of all medicines, at the time of initial licensing and throughout their use in clinical practice, carefully evaluating any emerging evidence on their...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDoctors: Industrial DisputesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101115More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to mitigate the potential impact of doctor strike action within NHS services in Surrey Heath constituency.
Answer: The National Health Service works hard to prioritise resources to protect all patients using its services during the period of strike action, in particular emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, maternity, and trauma, and to ensure we prioriti...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCommunity Assets: Planning PermissionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101109More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance is available to local authorities on assessing the social value of community facilities when determining planning applications.
Answer: The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that to provide the social, recreational and cultural facilities and services the community needs, planning policies and decisions should plan positively for the provision and use of shared spaces,...
Answered 6 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordHousing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101107More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what consideration is given within the planning system to the potential impact of housing developments on nearby (a) small businesses and (b) local employment.
Answer: Local planning authorities are expected to assess economic needs as part of their evidence base and to consider these issues when determining individual applications, including the potential effects of new housing development on nearby businesses and on o...
Answered 7 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordHorse Riding: SurreyDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101105More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support horse riding schools in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.
Answer: The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the UK following the Spending Review. We a...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordMagistrates' Courts: SurreyMinistry of JusticeTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101104More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment has been made of the potential merits of expanding magistrate court provision in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.
Answer: The Government has already invested heavily in the criminal justice system – in record sitting days, court buildings and technology, and in legal professionals. We have secured record investment (up to £450 million per year for the courts system over the ...
Answered 6 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordHospices: ChildrenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101103More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the role of voluntary and community sector organisations in improving (a) wellbeing and (b) quality of life for (i) children and (ii) families in hospice
Answer: The Department has not had any specific discussions with the providers of sensory and recreational facilities in children’s hospices in Surrey or the Surrey Health constituency. Nor has any formal assessment been made of the role of voluntary and communit...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordHospices: ChildrenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101102More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with providers of (a) sensory and (b) recreational facilities in children’s hospices in (i) Surrey and (ii) Surrey Heath constituency.
Answer: The Department has not had any specific discussions with the providers of sensory and recreational facilities in children’s hospices in Surrey or the Surrey Health constituency. Nor has any formal assessment been made of the role of voluntary and communit...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCulture and Media: HealthDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101101More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the contribution of (a) arts, (b) media, and (c) cultural experiences to patient wellbeing in (i) healthcare and (ii) hospice environments in Surrey.
Answer: DCMS has undertaken extensive research into the impact of arts and creativity on health. Through the Culture and Heritage Capital (CHC) Programme, the Department published a 2024 study monetising the health and wellbeing benefits of cultural and heritage ...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordOverseas TerritoriesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101099More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of allowing British Overseas Territories to introduce a legislative consent process for Westminster legislatio
Answer: The 2012 White Paper remains the foundation of the UK's modern partnership-based relationship with the Overseas Territories (OTs), but the OTs continue to work alongside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to identify proposals on how ...
Answered 7 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCaribbean: Development AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101098More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support she has provided to Caribbean Overseas Territories to help tackle climate change and prepare for extreme weather events, such as hurricanes.
Answer: The 2012 White Paper remains the foundation of the UK's modern partnership-based relationship with the Overseas Territories (OTs), but the OTs continue to work alongside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to identify proposals on how ...
Answered 7 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCaribbean: Development AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101097More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support her Department is providing to Caribbean Overseas Territories to help (a) increase security and (b) reduce organised crime in the region.
Answer: The 2012 White Paper remains the foundation of the UK's modern partnership-based relationship with the Overseas Territories (OTs), but the OTs continue to work alongside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to identify proposals on how ...
Answered 7 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBritish Overseas TerritoriesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101093More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to update the Overseas Territories White Paper.
Answer: The 2012 White Paper remains the foundation of the UK's modern partnership-based relationship with the Overseas Territories (OTs), but the OTs continue to work alongside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to identify proposals on how ...
Answered 7 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordVehicle Number Plates: StandardsDepartment for TransportTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100685More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to review the British Standard for number plates to ensure it remains fit for purpose in supporting (a) enforcement and (b) public safety.
Answer: The British Standard for Retroreflective Number Plates (BS AU 145e) is published by the British Standards Institution (BSI). The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is part of the BSI committee that has reviewed this standard and the committee has ...
Answered 19 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAutomatic Number Plate RecognitionHome OfficeTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100682More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how inaccuracies in vehicle databases are accounted for when ANPR data is used in policing decisions.
Answer: ANPR is a valuable tool to help the police tackle crime and keep the road safe. We keep the effectiveness of police and law enforcement use of ANPR under regular review, to ensure it remains a robust tool for identifying vehicles of interest to the police...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordMotor Vehicles: DatabasesDepartment for TransportTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100680More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps are being taken to improve (a) data quality and (b) error correction processes within vehicle-related databases relied upon by enforcement authorities.
Answer: The British Standard for Retroreflective Number Plates (BS AU 145e) is published by the British Standards Institution (BSI). The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is part of the BSI committee that has reviewed this standard and the committee has ...
Answered 19 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAutomatic Number Plate RecognitionHome OfficeTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100679More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the reliability of ANPR data in (a) preventing and (b) detecting (i) road traffic and (ii) wider criminal offences.
Answer: ANPR is a valuable tool to help the police tackle crime and keep the road safe. We keep the effectiveness of police and law enforcement use of ANPR under regular review, to ensure it remains a robust tool for identifying vehicles of interest to the police...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAutomatic Number Plate RecognitionDepartment for TransportTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100602More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the accuracy of vehicle registration data captured by Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems.
Answer: The British Standard for Retroreflective Number Plates (BS AU 145e) is published by the British Standards Institution (BSI). The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is part of the BSI committee that has reviewed this standard and the committee has ...
Answered 19 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordCarbon Emissions: UK Relations with EUDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100579More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of negotiating an emissions trading scheme linkage with the European Union to reduce the costs of achieving net zero.
Answer: Linking the UK and EU Emission Trading Schemes (ETSs) is expected to reduce costs for UK businesses by providing a cheaper path to net zero. Access to a larger, more liquid and stable carbon market will provide UK business with greater price certainty whi...
Answered 24 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAirports: PollutionDepartment for TransportTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100576More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to reduce (a) noise and (b) pollution from (i) Heathrow Airport, (ii) Gatwick Airport and (iii) Farnborough Airport in Surrey Heath constituency.
Answer: The Department for Transport sets noise controls at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, including night movement and night noise quota count limits. Under Environmental Noise Regulations, these airports are also obliged to produce noise action plans. For Farnb...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordHeathrow Airport: Public TransportDepartment for TransportTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100575More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve public transport infrastructure between Surrey Heath constituency and Heathrow Airport.
Answer: The Government recognises the vital role that surface access will play as part of any future expansion of Heathrow Airport. As part of the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), launched on 22 October 2025, we will consider the transport...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordRoad Traffic: South EastDepartment for TransportTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100574More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to mitigate delays at (a) critical junctions and (b) motorways in the South East region during the Christmas period.
Answer: To mitigate delays, National Highways has suspended all non-essential works from 21 December to 2 January, lifting over 90% of roadworks across 1,700 miles of the network. At critical junctions, Operation Brock is in place from 16 to 23 December to manage...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: SurreyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100573More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what oversight his Department will provide to ensure that (a) borough and (b) district councils do not take on significant costs during local government reorganisation in Surrey.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 99016 on 19 December 2025.
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
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