Mark Pritchard MP: written questions
202 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Palestinians: Recognition of StatesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 12 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 904675More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the legal process for recognising a Palestinian state.
Answer: The UK commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering. We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state at a time that has the most impact in achieving this reality and is most conducive to long-term prospects for peace. We are clear that does not ...
Answered 9 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordPlaying Fields: Planning PermissionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58942More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether Sport England will remain a statutory consultee for planning applications that affect playing fields.
Answer: As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510), the government plans to consult on the impact of removing statutory consultee status for planning applications from Sport England, The Theatres Trust, and The Gardens Trust...
Answered 19 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordHackingCabinet OfficeTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58936More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the hacking group Salt Typhoon on the (a) public sector, (b) private sector and (c) UK global information service providers.
Answer: While we cannot comment on ongoing incidents and operational matters, we continuously monitor any potential UK impact and will activate our cyber incident management structures as required.The UK’s approach to mitigating cyber risks facing telecoms provid...
Answered 16 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSyria: EmbassiesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58190More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to announce the reopening of the UK’s embassy in Syria.
Answer: We are keeping the re-establishment of a permanent presence in Damascus under review. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office staff, including our UK Special Representative for Syria, undertake regular visits to Damascus.
Answered 12 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: SemiconductorsMinistry of DefenceTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58189More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to diversify supplies of (a) gallium and (b) germanium as part of the UK’s defence industrial strategy.
Answer: The Department recognises China’s influence in global critical mineral supply chains and the potential implications of China's export regulations on these chains, particularly concerning the use of germanium and gallium in the defence sector. The Departme...
Answered 16 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: PayMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 57620More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will allow members of His Majesty's armed forces to access salary sacrifice schemes for car (a) leasing and (b) purchases.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has no plans to introduce salary sacrifice schemes for members of the Armed Forces. However, the MOD continually reviews the overall offer to Service personnel with the aim of making it as attractive as possible, supporting m...
Answered 12 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: War PensionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56172More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will end his Department's pension payments to any former defence personnel who have served in any branch of the UK armed forces and who have fought alongside (a) Russian Federation military personnel and (b
Answer: The Armed Forces Pension Schemes allow for the forfeit of an individual’s pension entitlements where certain conditions are met. The conditions largely concern circumstances where the member has been convicted of a serious criminal offence. This power pro...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordEnergy Performance Certificates: Business PremisesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54720More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when her Department will publish the response to the consultation entitled Non-domestic private rented sector minimum energy efficiency standards: EPC B implementation, published on 17 March
Answer: We are currently reviewing the policy design, including the timelines for introduction, to ensure that it remains fair and proportionate for landlords and tenants. We plan to publish a response to the consultation as early as possible this year.
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Constables: IncentivesHome OfficeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54719More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will introduce a tax-free annual bonus to help improve recruitment and retention of special police constables.
Answer: As part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, we are committed to increasing the number of special constables across England and Wales.To support this commitment, we are exploring a range of measures to improve the recruitment and retention of special ...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordWater: Data CentresDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54718More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of water consumption by data storage centres on (a) consumer and (b) agricultural water supplies.
Answer: Datacentre water consumption varies considerably based on their size and cooling method. There is currently no requirement for data centres to report on their water consumption, so an accurate assessment of their impact on water supplies to consumers and ...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: BatteriesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54717More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to introduce new safety protocols for solar battery storage sites.
Answer: The Government has committed to consult in June 2025 on including battery storage sites within scope of the Environmental Permitting Regulations.We are continuing to work closely with the industry-led Electricity Storage Health and Safety Governance Group...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordReserve ForcesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54716More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to introduce a civilian home guard as part of the armed forces reserve capabilities.
Answer: I am grateful for the contribution of our Reserve Forces who provide the UK with the ability to meet the threats we face at home and overseas, with the scale, skills, agility and connection to society that it needs, in a cost-effective way. Home Defence r...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54715More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will bring forward the date by which the UK will spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on Defence.
Answer: The Government has made a clear commitment for defence spending to reach 2.5% of GDP by 2027. This is a fully funded increase, the details of which were set out in the Spring Statement.
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: FiresMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54714More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to investigate the number of fires caused by self-installed solar panels on residential properties.
Answer: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government collects data on incidents attended by Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs). This data includes the cause of the fire and the source of ignition. This data is published in a variety of publications, ava...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMobile Broadband: Rural AreasDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54713More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has plans to expand the use of satellite technology to improve rural mobile phone (a) connectivity and (b) coverage.
Answer: Satellite connectivity can complement the coverage provided by terrestrial mobile networks. Mobile network operators have already for example, used satellite services to provide backhaul to some Shared Rural Network sites where it is challenging to provid...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBatteries: StorageMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54712More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps with the Fire Service college to implement a (a) national strategy and (b) protocols for local fire authorities when responding to battery storage fires.
Answer: It is the responsibility of fire and rescue authorities to ensure that firefighters receive the equipment and training they need to safely respond to incidents, and to do so considering their individual areas’ risk profiles and Community Risk Management P...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordShropshire Fire and Rescue Service: Employers' ContributionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54711More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the change in the level of employers National Insurance contributions on the revenue budget of Shropshire Fire and Rescu
Answer: On 3 February 2025, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published the 2025/26 Local Government Finance Settlement which sets out funding allocations for all local authorities including fire and rescue.These allocations, which include...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordPublic Houses: Tax AllowancesTreasuryTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54710More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy to encourage communities to purchase public houses through the tax system.
Answer: The government recognises the important role that pubs play in supporting high streets and local communities. At the Autumn Budget the Chancellor introduced a range of measures that support pubs. These included doubling the Employment Allowance to £10,500...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordTrade Agreements: USADepartment for Business and TradeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54709More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the US-UK trade deal on the food (a) manufacturing and (b) processing sector in Shropshire.
Answer: In 2024, food and drink trade between the West Midlands and the US was worth £68 million.We concluded a landmark economic deal with the US on 8 May. This deal will protect thousands of jobs, protect key British industries, and help drive economic growth.D...
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal ExperimentsHome OfficeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54708More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish details on an annual basis of the number of animals which are bred for, but not used in, scientific procedures in Britain each year.
Answer: The Home Office is presently reviewing the collection and publication of additional statistics on animals that were bred for, but not used in, scientific procedures.
Answered 4 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: ShropshireCabinet OfficeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54707More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to improve opportunities in public procurement for SMEs in (a) the defence sector and (b) other sectors in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.
Answer: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) make a vital contribution to economic growth and are a valuable source of technical innovation in defence. This is recognised in the Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, as well as the Ministry of Defence's ...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: ShropshireDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54706More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for mental health treatment in (a) Shropshire, (b) Telford and (c) Wrekin.
Answer: Long waits for mental health services are being driven by increasing demand in a system in desperate need of change, including in Shropshire, Telford, and Wrekin.The Government is piloting innovative models of care in the community, including six neighbou...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordPancreatic CancerDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54705More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will prioritise (a) research into, (b) diagnosis of and (c) treatment of pancreatic cancer in the new National Cancer Plan.
Answer: The National Cancer Plan will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care, as well as prevention, and research and innovation. It will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care to better the experi...
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordPancreatic CancerDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54704More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to improve survival rates for pancreatic cancer.
Answer: Improving survival rates for all cancers, including pancreatic cancer, is a priority for the Government. As the first step to ensuring faster diagnosis and treatment, we have delivered an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week.NHS Engl...
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordEarwax: Medical TreatmentsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54703More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will support Integrated Care Boards to offer community ear wax removal services.
Answer: Integrated care boards (ICBs) have a statutory responsibility to commission cost-effective healthcare to meet the needs of their local populations. This includes the arrangement of services for ear wax removal. When ICBs exercise their functions, includin...
Answered 6 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
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