Graeme Downie MP: written questions
219 published records · newest first.
Written questions
MotabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 24 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40706More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she last met with Motability; and what she had discussions on.
Answer: The Motability Scheme is open to claimants who are in receipt of an eligible benefit. If a claimant elects to join the Scheme, the Department directly transfers the mobility allowance to Motability Operations on behalf of the eligible claimant. The Motabi...
Answered 31 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Work and Pensions: MotabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 24 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40705More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of her Department's work with Motability.
Answer: The Motability Scheme is open to claimants who are in receipt of an eligible benefit. If a claimant elects to join the Scheme, the Department directly transfers the mobility allowance to Motability Operations on behalf of the eligible claimant. The Motabi...
Answered 31 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Work and Pensions: MotabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 24 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40704More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to continue her Department's relationship with Motability.
Answer: The Motability Scheme is open to claimants who are in receipt of an eligible benefit. If a claimant elects to join the Scheme, the Department directly transfers the mobility allowance to Motability Operations on behalf of the eligible claimant. The Motabi...
Answered 31 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordOptical Equipment: Manufacturing IndustriesDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 20 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 903457More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to support innovation in the manufacturing of optics equipment.
Answer: Growing innovative manufacturing companies will be key to unlocking growth across the economy.Optics has many applications across different sectors and we provide a range of support for firms specialising in it. For example, UKRI is funding over £116,000 ...
Answered 26 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordHawk AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40061More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with (a) the RAF and (b) defence industry suppliers on the replacement of the Hawk training jet.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 December 2024 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) to Question 15292.
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40060More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with (a) the RAF and (b) defence suppliers on he future of the RAF fast jet training aircraft.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 December 2024 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) to Question 15292.
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordType 83 Destroyers: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 37020More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to announce the next stages of the Type 83 Destroyer programme.
Answer: The next stage of the Type 83 Destroyer programme, which is one element of the Future Air Dominance System (FADS) programme, will be announced following the completion of the Strategic Defence Review.
Answered 17 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: EducationMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 37019More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last held discussions with the (a) Scottish Government and (b) (i) further and (ii) higher education sector in Scotland to encourage the effective supply of skills for the defence industrial sector from S
Answer: This Government recognises the critical importance of attracting new entrants into the defence sector in order to ensure we have the skilled workforce needed to sustain a vibrant, innovative and competitive defence industrial base. While discussions with ...
Answered 17 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordTrident Submarines: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 37015More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what bases in the UK will have capability to hold Dreadnought class submarines for (a) repairs and (b) maintenance by 2035.
Answer: There is a strategy in place to upgrade infrastructure and provide suitable docking for the new Dreadnought Class submarines across existing UK naval bases and dockyards. For operational security reasons further details cannot be released as to do so coul...
Answered 17 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordTrident Submarines: DockyardsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 37014More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many docks in the UK are able to hold Dreadnought class submarines for (a) repairs and (b) maintenance.
Answer: There is a strategy in place to upgrade infrastructure and provide suitable docking for the new Dreadnought Class submarines across existing UK naval bases and dockyards. For operational security reasons further details cannot be released as to do so coul...
Answered 17 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordTrident Submarines: DockyardsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 37013More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many docks will be required to hold Dreadnought submarines by 2035.
Answer: There is a strategy in place to upgrade infrastructure and provide suitable docking for the new Dreadnought Class submarines across existing UK naval bases and dockyards. For operational security reasons further details cannot be released as to do so coul...
Answered 17 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordEnergy: InfrastructureDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 28 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34723More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department will restrict Chinese-manufactured components in the UK’s energy infrastructure projects.
Answer: We take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must. As an open economy, we welcome foreign trade and investment where it supports ...
Answered 10 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordEnergy: InfrastructureDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 28 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34722More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the security risks posed by the use of Chinese-manufactured technology in (a) smart grids, (b) renewable energy systems and (c) the UK’s energy infr
Answer: The Department collaborates with other government departments, agencies and industry partners to understand and mitigate threats to energy infrastructure, setting robust regulatory standards for cyber through the Network and Information Systems Regulation...
Answered 10 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordSmart Devices: ProcurementCabinet OfficeTabled 28 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34721More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has made an assessment of whether the Procurement Act includes adequate measures to limit the procurement of Chinese-made cellular IoT modules in UK critical national infrastructure.
Answer: The Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February this year, introduces new powers to exclude, terminate or debar suppliers from public sector supply chains on a variety of grounds. In line with the Act, the Government will operate the new po...
Answered 10 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordElectric Vehicles: ChinaTreasuryTabled 28 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34720More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many Chinese made electric vehicles were imported into the UK in (a) 2023 and (b) 2024.
Answer: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of data on imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC releases this information monthly, as an accredited Official Statistic called the Overseas Trade in Goods St...
Answered 10 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordChina: Electric VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34719More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will conduct an investigation of the potential national security threats posed by Chinese-made connected vehicles.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes the security of defence assets and people very seriously, and has been working with other Government Departments to investigate any potential threats to national security and to ensure that policies and procedures take ...
Answered 10 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordChina: Defence EquipmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34718More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessmenhis Department has made of the (a) prevalence of and (b) security risks posed by Chinese-manufactured technology used in UK defence procurement and supply chains.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) welcomes foreign trade where it allows us to provide our Armed Forces with the equipment they require, meets our stringent legal and regulatory requirements and does not compromise our national security.Transactions continue ...
Answered 10 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordChina: Electric VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34717More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential security risk posed by Chinese-made electric vehicles being used by (a) senior officers and (b) other security officials.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes the security of defence assets and people very seriously, and has been working with other Government Departments to investigate any potential threats to national security and to ensure that policies and procedures take ...
Answered 10 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordCoal: Community DevelopmentMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 902958More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to support coalfield communities.
Answer: This government’s defining mission is growth, and we are determined that our coalfield communities are central to it. At budget we committed to retaining and reforming the Long-Term Plan for Towns, and I am proud that this will continue to support coalfie...
Answered 3 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordMental Illness: DrugsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32356More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the National Institute for Health and Care Research has undertaken research on the potential impact of psychedelic medication on the treatment of severe mental health conditions.
Answer: The Department commissions research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR is supporting psilocybin research via the NIHR King’s Clinical Research Facility and the NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, where resea...
Answered 5 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordBoatsDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31721More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance exists to define (a) sunk", (b) stranded and (c) abandoned vessels for the under the terms of s.252 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
Answer: Guidance can be found here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wreck-and-salvage-law. Local port acts may contain additional definitions that may vary from act to act.
Answered 24 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordBoatsDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31720More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will published updated guidance to define (a) sunk, (b) stranded and (c) abandoned vessels for the under the terms of s.252 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
Answer: At present there is no evidence that the department has received that suggests that the definitions require updating. The department keeps all of its guidance under review and should there be a need to, updates guidance accordingly.
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordBoatsDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31719More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance her Department provides to define (a) stranded, (b) stranded and (c) abandoned vessels under section 252 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
Answer: The gov.uk website provides a definition of abandoned when discussing derelict vessels. Guidance is available on Wreck and salvage law - GOV.UK and port association websites.
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordBoats: ScotlandDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30507More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will hold discussions with her counterpart in the Scottish Government on compelling the removal of derelict small boats in Scottish harbours.
Answer: While DFT keeps in regular contact with our counterparts in Transport Scotland, Ports policy is devolved and any issues regarding Scottish ports and harbours would be for colleagues at Transport Scotland and the relevant Scottish minister to oversee. DfT ...
Answered 18 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordPersonal Independence Payment: FraudDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29372More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the number of fraudulent claims there were for the Personal Independence Payment in each (a) nation and (b) region in each of the last five years.
Answer: We publish annual estimates of fraud and error levels in the benefit system in Great Britain, however as these figures are produced using sample data, they are not available below the national level.
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament record
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