Scott Arthur MP: written questions
167 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Israel: F-35 AircraftForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58443More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with allies involved in the F-35 programme on Israel's use of F-35 jets in Gaza.
Answer: Conversations with F-35 Partners occur regularly and cover a range of issues, however we are unable to disclose details of confidential conversations held within an international programme.
Answered 19 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordIsrael: F-35 AircraftForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58442More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he holds evidence on the use of F-35 jets to breach international law in Gaza.
Answer: No, we don't. We have carefully collated, reviewed and assessed relevant evidence concerning the Gaza conflict. The action we have taken, as announced to Parliament, is consistent with our legal obligations and we remain wholly committed to international ...
Answered 19 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordParking: Pedestrian AreasDepartment for TransportTabled 4 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 57525More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the lessons learned from the implementation of pavement parking restrictions in (a) Edinburgh and (b) London.
Answer: The Department has been carefully considering the responses to the consultation that took place in 2020 and is currently working through the policy options. There will be a full impact assessment of the policies to be implemented, which will consider a wi...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordVisas: Skilled WorkersHome OfficeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55784More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of which academic fields have benefitted most from the Global Talent visa scheme.
Answer: Following its introduction in February 2020, the Home Office commissioned Ipsos to undertake research into the impact of the Global Talent visa. Wave 1 of the research was published in May 2022 and wave 2 was published in March 2024.The Global Talent Visa...
Answered 6 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordVisas: Skilled WorkersHome OfficeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55783More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the effectiveness of the Global Talent visa scheme.
Answer: Following its introduction in February 2020, the Home Office commissioned Ipsos to undertake research into the impact of the Global Talent visa. Wave 1 of the research was published in May 2022 and wave 2 was published in March 2024.The Global Talent Visa...
Answered 6 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordWarrior VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55779More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Warrior infantry fighting vehicles (a) his Department has and (b) will be surplus to requirements by 2030; and how many of that he plans to provide to Ukraine.
Answer: As at 1 June 2025, there are 359 Warrior vehicles in service. As the Out of Service date for Warrior is 2027, with all vehicles withdrawn from service by the end of the decade, any that remain held by the Department beyond this will be classed as surplus ...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGlobal Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: FinanceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54492More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to maintain the level of UK funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.
Answer: The UK remains committed to tackling global health challenges and will continue to work with all international partners towards the collective goal of a healthier, safer and more prosperous world. As part of this, we are proud to be co-hosting the 8th rep...
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGavi, the Vaccine Alliance: FinanceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54491More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to maintain the level of UK funding for GAVI.
Answer: The UK remains committed to tackling global health challenges and will continue to work with all international partners towards the collective goal of a healthier, safer and more prosperous world. As part of this, we are proud to be co-hosting the 8th rep...
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordVisas: Skilled WorkersHome OfficeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54490More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of age-related pay for people with Skilled Worker visas on opportunities for exploitation by unscrupulous employers.
Answer: The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May, sets out the Home Office’s proposals for reform in a number of areas, including exploitation of individuals on worker visas.
Answered 6 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAviation: Skilled WorkersHome OfficeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54489More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of age-related pay for workers on the Skilled Worker Visa on exploitation in the airline industry.
Answer: The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May, sets out the Home Office’s proposals for reform in a number of areas, including exploitation of individuals on worker visas.
Answered 6 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordScottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television: InsolvencyScotland OfficeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54488More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) the Scottish Government on support for students who where studying at the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television when it went
Answer: I was shocked and saddened to hear that the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television had gone into administration. My sympathy goes out to the staff that worked there and to the students who are facing considerable uncertainty over the fu...
Answered 4 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGaza: IsraelForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54177More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether RAF surveillance flights over Gaza have uncovered evidence of breaches of international law.
Answer: The operational mandate for these flights, have been narrowly defined to focus on securing the release of the hostages only. These Royal Air Force surveillance flights are unarmed and do not have a combat role. We will not comment further on detailed inte...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGaza: IsraelForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54176More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with international partners on the Israeli government's proposals to permanently (a) occupy Gaza and (b) displace its population.
Answer: The Prime Minister has been clear that the UK strongly opposes the expansion of Israel's operations in Gaza. We have repeatedly stated that Palestinian territory must not be reduced in the conduct of this war or subjected to demographic change, and that t...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordIsraeli SettlementsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54175More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help restrict the expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Answer: We are clear that settlements are illegal under international law and undermine the prospects for peace. I have condemned the 22 new settlements announced by Israel on 29 May and we regularly urge Israel to halt settlement expansion in our diplomatic enga...
Answered 12 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGaza: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54174More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what economic steps he is taking to encourage Israel to allow aid into Gaza.
Answer: On 20 May, the Foreign Secretary announced that we have suspended negotiations with this Israeli Government on a new free trade agreement. We will be reviewing cooperation with them under the 2030 Bilateral Roadmap. On 19 May we issued a statement, with F...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGaza: Humanitarian SituationForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54173More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Answer: On 28 April, the UK announced a package of support for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including £101 million for humanitarian aid, support for Palestinian economic development, and strengthening Palestinian Authority governance and reform. As part ...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGaza: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54172More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with NGOs on alternative aid routes into Gaza.
Answer: All routes to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza must be approved by the Government of Israel. The UK regularly engages with the United Nations, humanitarian partners and Non-Governmental Organisations, who provide insights into the challenges facing the ...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGaza: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54171More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with UK regional allies on alternative aid routes into Gaza.
Answer: All routes to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza must be approved by the Government of Israel. The UK has previously collaborated with regional partners on alternative routes, including air drops and a maritime corridor. However, these cannot substitute d...
Answered 4 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGender Based ViolenceHome OfficeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54163More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she plans to take to evaluate the effectiveness of her Department's Enough campaign at tackling violence against women and girls.
Answer: To evaluate communications activity, including the Enough campaign to help tackle violence against women and girls, the Department follows the steps set out by the Government Communication Service: GCS Evaluation Cycle - UK Government Communications.
Answered 6 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBroadband: ScotlandScotland OfficeTabled 20 May 2025AnsweredUIN 53737More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to improve broadband (a) connectivity and (b) speeds in Scotland.
Answer: Our Plan for Change recognises the importance of ensuring people across Scotland have access to the fastest broadband networks on the market to level the playing field and realise our mission to boost economic growth and improve living standards. Earlier ...
Answered 27 May 2025
Original Parliament recordVisas: Skilled WorkersHome OfficeTabled 13 May 2025AnsweredUIN 52098More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of people on the Skilled Worker visa have had their employment extended beyond their 26th birthday with pay meeting the standard salary threshold for the most recent year
Answer: The information requested is not available from published statistics and the relevant data could only be collated and verified from multiple systems owned by multiple teams across the Home Office for the purpose of answering this question at disproportion...
Answered 21 May 2025
Original Parliament recordTransport: Carbon EmissionsDepartment for TransportTabled 13 May 2025AnsweredUIN 52097More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential role of technology in the decarbonisation of the transport sector.
Answer: Technological solutions will play a critical role in decarbonising transport across all modes, including through accelerated electric vehicle rollout and low carbon fuel deployment in shipping and aviation. Government will produce a plan later this year f...
Answered 19 May 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: Carbon EmissionsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 13 May 2025AnsweredUIN 52096More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of drone technology to the net zero strategy.
Answer: Drones are useful in inspecting energy infrastructure such as offshore wind turbines and overhead electrification lines which are difficult to reach using other means. As part of DESNZ’s Net Zero Innovation Programme, we have funded UK companies looking t...
Answered 20 May 2025
Original Parliament recordExports: Human RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 13 May 2025AnsweredUIN 52095More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that UK exports are not used to help facilitate potential human rights abuses.
Answer: Each export licence application is assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, which provides a thorough risk assessment framework. The Government will not grant an export licence if to do so would be inconsistent wit...
Answered 21 May 2025
Original Parliament recordVisas: StudentsHome OfficeTabled 13 May 2025AnsweredUIN 52094More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an estimate of the potential impact of her Department's White Paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, on the number of student visa
Answer: Provisional estimates on the potential impact on future student visa demand are published in the Technical Annex accompanying the Immigration White Paper: restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-technical-annex.pdf
Answered 21 May 2025
Original Parliament record
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