Bob Blackman MP: written questions
250 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Tennis: FacilitiesDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 28 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 85720More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans her Department has to support the development of (a) affordable and (b) accessible padel courts in (i) Harrow East constituency and (b) England.
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 4 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordTennis: Harrow EastDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 28 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 85719More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to help tackle the lack of (a) indoor and (b) covered tennis and facilities in Harrow East 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 4 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordTennis: FinanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 28 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 85718More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of increased funding for (a) tennis and (b) padel facilities.
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 4 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordSports: FinanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 28 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 85717More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much funding she has allocated for (a) tennis, (b) padel and (c) other court-based sports.
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 4 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDrugs: ReformDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 28 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 85716More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to update impact assessments for Part IX Drug Tariff reform in the context of methodological changes following the introduction of interchangeable size bandings.
Answer: The Impact Assessment was shared at the consultation stage which took place between October 2023 and January 2024. It was subsequently updated to reflect the industry feedback received throughout the process, with the final version being released in Augus...
Answered 5 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMedical EquipmentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 28 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 85715More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Part IX medical devices process on (a) supplier confidence and (b) future investment in the UK medical devices market; and wha
Answer: As part of our development work on Part IX of the Drug Tariff reforms, we have undertaken detailed assessment of the impacts on the market and suppliers. We have worked closely with industry and the joint Department and Industry Drug Tarff Committee to en...
Answered 5 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordSomayeh RashidiForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 27 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 85134More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications of her policies of the death of Somayeh Rashidi in Iran in September 2025; and what discussions she has had with he
Answer: As we set out in the answer of 6 August 2025 to question 67434 we remained concerned over the arbitrary detention of women and other political prisoners in Iran, and we were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Somayeh Rashidi, and other women in dete...
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordChildren: Social ServicesDepartment for EducationTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84191More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to help improve the quality of local authority children's social care services.
Answer: The department has announced the biggest overhaul to children’s social care (CSC) in a generation, including increased investment and landmark legislation through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. From April 2025, we are making £500 million avail...
Answered 31 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordCats: Animal BreedingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83267More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of banning the cross-breeding of exotic cats with domestic cat breeds.
Answer: The Government welcomes the Animal Welfare Committee’s Opinion on the welfare implications of current and emergent feline breeding practices which included their research into the management and welfare of hybrid breeding. We are carefully considering the...
Answered 27 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordCats: Animal BreedingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83266More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to meet with animal welfare organisations to discuss tackling the illegal (a) breeding and (b) sale of hybrid cats.
Answer: The Department is kept up to date with developments in cat welfare through regular engagements with key sector organisations.
Answered 24 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMehran ShamlouiForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83265More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of Iran’s recent Supreme Court’s decision to deny a retrial for Mehran Shamloui; and what diplomat
Answer: We are concerned by Mehran Shamoui's case and by Iran's treatment of Christians, in particular Christian converts, more broadly. On 23 September 2025, at the UN Human Rights Council, UK Permanent Representative, Kumar Iyer, highlighted the targeting and s...
Answered 29 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordHakop GochumyanForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 16 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82655More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her counterparts in Iran on Hakop Gochumyan; and whether she is taking diplomatic steps to help secure his release.
Answer: We are very concerned by Mr. Gochumyan's case and at Iran's treatment of Christians more broadly. On 23 September 2025, at the UN Human Rights Council, UK Permanent Representative, Kumar Iyer, highlighted the targeting and scapegoating of marginalised gro...
Answered 29 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordHakop GochumyanForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 13 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 81286More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Iranian authorities on Hakop Gochumyan; and what steps she is taking to ensure his release.
Answer: We are very concerned by Mr. Gochumyan's case and at Iran's treatment of Christians more broadly. On 23 September 2025, at the UN Human Rights Council, UK Permanent Representative, Kumar Iyer, highlighted the targeting and scapegoating of marginalised gro...
Answered 29 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordPakistan: WomenForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 15 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 77037More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her counterpart in Pakistan on allegations of (a) abduction and (b) trafficking of (i) Hindu and (ii) Christian women and girls; and
Answer: The UK is committed to addressing the abduction, trafficking, forced marriage and conversion of women and girls in Pakistan, including from Hindu and Christian communities. Further to the welcome passage of the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage R...
Answered 13 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordPakistan: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 75585More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Pakistani counterpart on the use of blasphemy legislation to target religious minorities.
Answer: The UK Government remains deeply concerned by the use of blasphemy laws to undermine human rights in Pakistan. We regularly raise this issue at the highest levels, pressing for due process to prevent wrongful convictions and ensure fair trials for those a...
Answered 3 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal Products: ImportsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 75584More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether Monkeys will be included in the government's proposed hunting trophy ban.
Answer: Defra is continuing to engage with relevant stakeholders to help determine the most appropriate scope for the ban on the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern. Species of conservation concern are listed primarily on Appendices I ...
Answered 12 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordHuang YiziForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 75048More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Chinese counterparts on the detention of Pastor Huang Zi; and what steps he is taking to support his release.
Answer: The environment for freedom of religion or belief across China is restrictive, which includes the persecution of Christians. This Government champions freedom of religion or belief for all abroad, and we continue to monitor developments closely and engage...
Answered 16 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordTobacco: AdvertisingDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74377More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timetable is for banning heated tobacco adverts following the Royal Assent of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forw
Answer: The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has completed its Second Reading in the House of Lords, and Committee Stage will take place as soon as parliamentary time allows. We expect the bill to complete its passage within this parliamentary session.The Tobacco Advertisi...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordTobacco and Vapes BillDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74375More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he expects the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to receive Royal Assent.
Answer: The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has completed its Second Reading in the House of Lords, and Committee Stage will take place as soon as parliamentary time allows. We expect the bill to complete its passage within this parliamentary session.The Tobacco Advertisi...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordHuntingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74374More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will set out the scope the proposed ban on trophy hunting imports.
Answer: Defra is continuing to engage with relevant stakeholders to help determine the most appropriate scope of a ban on the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern. Species of conservation concern are listed on the Appendices of the Conv...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordLung Cancer: ScreeningDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 14 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67321More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people have (a) been screened, (b) been diagnosed with lung cancer and (c) had an incidental finding of emphysema through the Targeted Lung Health Check programme since its launch in 2019.
Answer: The Lung Cancer Screening Programme is a National Health Service screening programme designed to identify cancers at an earlier stage. It is aimed at high-risk individuals or people with a history of smoking between the ages of 55 to 74 years old.From the...
Answered 25 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployment: Seasonal Workers and Young PeopleDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65247More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on ensuring employment policies reflect the needs of sectors with high levels of (a) youth and (b) seasonal employment.
Answer: The Secretary of State, responsible Ministers and policy officials meet regularly with their counterparts in HM Treasury about a range of issues including on the Plan to Make Work Pay and the Employment Rights Bill.The Bill will deliver significant benefi...
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordBeer and Public Houses: Labour Turnover and RecruitmentDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65246More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) flexible and (b) seasonal work patterns in the (i) beer and (ii) pub sector the recruitment and retention of staff.
Answer: In my capacity as co-chair of the Hospitality Sector Council I regularly meet with businesses in these sectors to discuss the issues they face, including their challenges around recruitment and retention of staff. We have extended our Hospitality Sector W...
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployment: Beer and Public HousesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65245More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the role (a) pubs and (b) brewers play on the provision of (i) first jobs and (ii) early career opportunities for young people.
Answer: We recognise that the pub and brewery industry is an important part of the Hospitality sector, and that it provides good prospects for young people to start their career. DWP’s Strategic Relationship Team actively works with trade bodies, including the Br...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployment: Beer and Public HousesCabinet OfficeTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65244More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of the beer and pub sector’s contribution to employment for 16- to 24-year-olds.
Answer: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 7th July is attached.
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament record
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