Julian Smith MP: written questions
150 published records · newest first.
Written questions
MediationMinistry of JusticeTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 101744More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has had conversations with colleagues in the English Law Promotion Panel on the potential effects of greater use of mediation within the civil justice system on a) investment, b) economic growth, and c
Answer: The English Law Promotion Panel has been established to support the growth of the legal sector and to strengthen the global competitiveness of English and Welsh law. This initiative forms part of the Government’s mission to drive economic growth, as outli...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordMediationMinistry of JusticeTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 101743More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, in the context of trends in levels of success of mediation for claims under £10,000, whether he has considered the expansion of mediation for higher value claims.
Answer: The Government recognises the benefits of mediation in resolving disputes swiftly and consensually.Mandatory mediation for small money claims below £10,000 is now integrated into the county court process, saving time and costs. A formal evaluation will be...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordMediationMinistry of JusticeTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 101742More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the expansion of mediation within the civil justice system on a) delays in the courts, and b) resultant business productivity.
Answer: We recognise the benefits of mediation to individuals and businesses in resolving disputes in a less adversarial manner. Where mediation is successful, both businesses and their customers will be spared the time and stress of litigation.The impact assessm...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCivil Proceedings: StandardsMinistry of JusticeTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 101741More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, a) what steps the Government is taking to reduce delays within the civil justice system, and b) whether he has considered the use of mediation as a potential solution.
Answer: The Government is committed to improving performance of, and to reducing demands on, the civil courts. We have put in place measures such as the introduction of digital systems through the HMCTS Reform Programme to drive performance improvements and are f...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordMediationMinistry of JusticeTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 101740More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect on business productivity of expansion of mediation within the civil justice system.
Answer: We recognise the benefits of mediation to individuals and businesses in resolving disputes in a less adversarial manner. Where mediation is successful, both businesses and their customers will be spared the time and stress of litigation.The impact assessm...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCivil Proceedings: StandardsMinistry of JusticeTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 101739More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of current waiting times in the civil justice system on the competitiveness of the justice system in England and Wales compared to other jurisdictions.
Answer: The Government understands the importance of timely and effective civil justice to England and Wales’ position as an international centre of dispute resolution. We are working towards our goal of a civil justice system in which people and businesses can r...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCommercial Court: TrialsMinistry of JusticeTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 101738More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to help reduce the time taken for cases to go to trial in the commercial court.
Answer: I am pleased to say there are currently no undue delays in listing trials in the commercial court. However, we are constantly seeking improvements in timeliness.Listing and case management in the Commercial Court are matters for the judiciary. HM Courts &...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordHospitality Industry: Operating CostsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 101737More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to review the cumulative effect of operating costs, including energy, staffing, compliance, and taxation, on the viability of hospitality businesses; and what consul
Answer: My department works closely with hospitality businesses to assess impact of rising operating costs across energy, staffing, compliance and taxation.This includes regular engagement with the sector, including through the Hospitality Sector Council which pr...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSuicide: MenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100349More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help reduce male suicide rates through access to timely mental health care, follow-up after (a) self-harm and (b) crisis presentations and support for men at high-risk du
Answer: The 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious plans to boost mental health support across the country. This includes transforming mental health services into neighbourhood mental health centres which are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, improving asse...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: StandardsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100348More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what mechanisms are in place for NHS mental health trusts to be held accountable when written recommendations for improving carer involvement and crisis support following formal apologies are not i
Answer: Anyone receiving treatment for their mental health deserves safe, high-quality care, and to be treated with dignity and respect.Families, staff, and the public deserve answers when things go wrong in mental health settings and it is vitally important that...
Answered 7 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordMental Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100347More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring that NHS mental health trusts do not discharge patients with high PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores without robust safety planning and fol
Answer: In 2024, statutory guidance was issued on discharge from all mental health, and learning disability and autism inpatient settings, under the NHS Act 2006. The guidance also sets out that prior to discharge, robust planning and safety management should be ...
Answered 7 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordStalking: Criminal ProceedingsHome OfficeTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100346More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the six-month limit for bringing charges on stalking.
Answer: Tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a top priority for this Government and the VAWG Strategy published on 18 December sets out clear action to tackle stalking as a part of this.We have appointed Richard Wright KC to lead a review of the st...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordStalking: Criminal ProceedingsHome OfficeTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100344More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of considering the charge of stalking together with that of stalking with intent to ensure that cases can be brought within the six-month tim
Answer: Tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a top priority for this Government and the VAWG Strategy published on 18 December sets out clear action to tackle stalking as a part of this.We have appointed Richard Wright KC to lead a review of the st...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordPrisoners' ReleaseMinistry of JusticeTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100343More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the impact of early releases on (a) victims and (b) victims' families.
Answer: We must ensure that there are always sufficient prison places for dangerous offenders and those who pose a risk to the public. We are building 14,000 prison places and will have more prisoners by the time of the next election than the last. We take every ...
Answered 23 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordPrisoners' ReleaseMinistry of JusticeTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100342More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the compatibility of early releases with the principles of justice.
Answer: We must ensure that there are always sufficient prison places for dangerous offenders and those who pose a risk to the public. We are building 14,000 prison places and will have more prisoners by the time of the next election than the last. We take every ...
Answered 23 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordBusiness Rates: ValuationTreasuryTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100324More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the revaluation of business rates on levels of employment in North Yorkshire.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMediation: BusinessMinistry of JusticeTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100323More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of court mandated mediation for larger businesses.
Answer: The Government recognises the benefits of mediation in resolving disputes swiftly and consensually. We are piloting mandatory mediation for small money claims (under £10,000) as part of the county court process. This pilot runs until May 2026 and will be ...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordKnives: CrimeHome OfficeTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99782More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of placing a ban on a) machetes and b) large hunting knives.
Answer: Knife crime has a devasting impact on families and communities across the country, and the Government is aiming to halve knife crime in the next decade. We keep the law in this area under constant review, and this includes the continuing availability of m...
Answered 23 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordKnives: SalesHome OfficeTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99781More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of phasing out the general sale of sharp-tipped culinary knives.
Answer: We recognise that the issue of knife crime and the harm caused by any knife has a very real impact on individuals, families and communities and we aim to halve knife crime in the next decade. The Government keeps the law in this area under constant review...
Answered 23 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordKnives: Crime PreventionHome OfficeTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99780More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to reduce knife crime.
Answer: Tackling knife crime is a priority for Government. Since this Government has been in office, knife homicides have fallen by almost 20% while knife crime overall has fallen for the first time in 4 years, dropping by 5% in our first year from 54,215 to 51,5...
Answered 23 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordKnives: Crime PreventionHome OfficeTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99779More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with her counterparts in the police on reducing knife crime.
Answer: Home Office Ministers meet regularly with Chief Constables and other senior policing leaders to discuss knife crime. For example, the Home Secretary discussed knife crime at the National Policing Board in July 2025 and the Policing Minister chaired the Kn...
Answered 23 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordLead: ContaminationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99778More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 November 2024 to Question 13210, what update she can provide on the progress of the Environment Agency's State of Contaminated Land Report, specifically wi
Answer: The Environment Agency sent the State of Contaminated Land survey to all local authorities with Part 2A duties in England on 14th November 2025. The survey includes specific questions relating to a number of sites prioritised for inspection or determined ...
Answered 18 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordEurostar: Immigration ControlsDepartment for TransportTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99777More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May to Question 50489, what recent discussions she has had with Eurostar and SNCF1 Gare Connexions on a) the expansion of the number of border control points and e-gates, and b) lon
Answer: Departmental officials engage regularly with French counterparts and industry partners to discuss plans to support the growth of international rail services and to enable competition in the coming years. Officials from my Department, Home Office and Borde...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordEurostar: Immigration ControlsHome OfficeTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99776More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April to Question 46921, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of changes to e-gates on improving the speed of passenger flow.
Answer: eGates provide a safe, secure and efficient method of crossing the UK border for millions of passengers each year. All technology deployed at the border is rigorously tested to ensure it is resilient and effective.We are moving into the next phase of our ...
Answered 18 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordEurostar: Immigration ControlsHome OfficeTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99775More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had discussions with (a) UK Border Force, and (b) her counterparts in the French Government on reducing the waiting times for UK-bound passengers at passport control at Paris Gare du N
Answer: Border Force work closely with partners to minimise passenger wait times and deploy officers flexibly and when required to meet demand and support passengers.We have introduced ePassport Gates to Paris Gare Du Nord station in two waves, the last being tim...
Answered 18 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
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