LabourSwindon North
Will Stone MP: written questions
How to read this
A written question seeks a published ministerial answer. Similar headings can identify separate questions; use the UIN to distinguish them. Tabled wording does not establish motive.
Most recent 12 months, since 30 Sept 2025. Newest first within each group. Follow the original source for full context.
Written questions
Winter Fuel Payment: Mobile HomesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15032More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will provide support through a winter fuel allowance for people in caravans, chalets and mobile homes.
Answer: Winter Fuel Payments are payable to pensioners who live in caravans, chalets and mobile homes.
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordVisasHome OfficeTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15031More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether an ETA is required to go on holiday whilst on a 90 day work visa.
Answer: The ETA Scheme applies to those passengers visiting the UK (or transiting landside, passing through Immigration Control) who do not currently need a visa for short stays or do not have an immigration status prior to travelling.
Answered 8 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordAdvertising: ProsecutionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15030More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will require local authorities processing Section 3F from the Town and Country Planning Act to inform the police in time to avoid local advertising being prosecuted by enfo
Answer: The rules governing the display of advertisements are set out in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007. Responsibility for application of the Regulations, including the enforcement of any breaches of control,...
Answered 20 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal GovernmentMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15029More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to provide advice to local authorities on local event management.
Answer: Local authorities are best placed to determine arrangements for local events, taking account of the needs of the community. Local Resilience Forums do not usually play a role in supporting local events unless the scale warrants the Local Resilience Forum ...
Answered 20 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordHospitality Industry: VATTreasuryTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15028More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of applying the summer savings scheme to the Christmas holidays.
Answer: From 25 June to 1 September the Government is introducing a temporary reduced rate of VAT on children's menu meals and eligible family attractions.This is a targeted and temporary scheme to reduce the costs of children’s meals in restaurants, children’s t...
Answered 10 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordStreaming: GamblingDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14465More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to assess whether gambling companies are able to advertisements on streaming platforms during the day.
Answer: The Government is aware of the increased prevalence of gambling advertising, including advertising of illegal gambling, on streaming platforms. We are committed to tackling the issue of illegal gambling advertising. This is one of the main focuses of the ...
Answered 8 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordConversion TherapyWomen and EqualitiesTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13960More
Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the Conversion practices draft bill, published on 25 June 2026, if she will make the definition of healthcare services more narrow.
Answer: The Government published its draft Conversion Practices Bill on 25 June for pre-legislative scrutiny. We have requested that this is done by a Joint Committee and welcome cross-party engagement and scrutiny on all aspects of this draft legislation, includ...
Answered 6 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordSocial Media: ChildrenDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13251More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether under-16s will be able to access political content on social media.
Answer: Government recognises the importance of young people being civically engaged.On 15 June, the government announced its intention to ban social media companies from offering their services to under 16s.Social media is not the only – nor always the most reli...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordRed Diesel: Excise DutiesTreasuryTabled 20 May 2026AnsweredUIN 3617More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether Red Diesel for the purpose running fairs and circuses is included in the off-road operation tax freeze.
Answer: On 20 May, the Government announced support for households and businesses with their fuel costs, in response to the conflict in the Middle East. This included targeted support for users of red diesel and rebated biodiesel, where the duty rate for these fu...
Answered 1 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordPolyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome: DiagnosisDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 19 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2910More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his department is doing to improve access to diagnosis of Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome.
Answer: The Government recognises that women suffering with gynaecological conditions, including polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) previously referred to as polycystic ovary syndrome, have been failed for too long, and we acknowledge the impact it h...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordProperty Management Companies: StandardsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 19 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2887More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help improve the performance of management companies.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 85213 on 4 November 2025 and UIN 113165 on 2 March 2026.
Answered 1 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordGaza: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 25 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 908077More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the level of humanitarian aid entering Gaza.
Answer: Since the ceasefire, aid flows have increased and more crossings are partially reopened, but the level of need cannot be met unless more restrictions are lifted.Medical equipment, components for field hospitals and basic shelter items must be allowed to e...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordStudents: LoansDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112320More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her department has considered proposals to introduce an extended maintenance loan, aligned with the Long courses Loan, for independent students to support with 52-week living costs.
Answer: The department recognises that independent students, including care leavers, care experienced and estranged students, may require additional support to access and achieve in higher education (HE).The new targeted, means-tested maintenance grants of up to ...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordStudents: GrantsDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112318More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has considered (a) the reintroduction of maintenance grants for independent students and (b) removing the priority course requirement for this group of students.
Answer: The department recognises that independent students, including care leavers, care experienced and estranged students, may require additional support to access and achieve in higher education (HE).The new targeted, means-tested maintenance grants of up to ...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordStudents: HousingDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112316More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the Statement of Expectations relating to student housing will include specific measures to ensure independent students can access housing for twelve months whilst at university; and whether enforcement
Answer: This government recognises that independent students, including care leavers, care experienced students and estranged students, may require additional support to access higher education (HE), including access to student accommodation.As universities and l...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordHunting: Animal WelfareDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112290More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the (a) levels of welfare of hounds used in hunting activities and (b) adequacy of the arrangements for their care or rehoming when no longer
Answer: Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the 2006 Act), it is an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare. Anyone who does not provide for their animals’ welfare may be banned from owning animals. They may also fac...
Answered 18 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: Administration of JusticeMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 907646More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve the Service Justice System.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence is taking forward a comprehensive programme of reforms to strengthen and modernise the Service Justice System. As a result, investigations, prosecutions and victim support have all significantly improved in recent years. We want to...
Answered 3 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordStudents: HousingDepartment for EducationTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107194More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Renters' Right Act on independent students who require accommodation between June and September.
Answer: This government recognises that independent students including care leavers, care experienced students and estranged students may require additional support to access higher education. As announced in the Post-16 Education and Skills white paper, we will ...
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordStudents: HousingDepartment for EducationTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107193More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to provide additional financial support for (a) estranged students, (b) care leavers in higher education and (c) students without living parents in the context of the potential impact of the R
Answer: This government recognises that independent students including care leavers, care experienced students and estranged students may require additional support to access higher education. As announced in the Post-16 Education and Skills white paper, we will ...
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordArtillery: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106627More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference his Department’s press release on 28 December 2025 regarding the signing of a £52 million contract for RCH 155, what assessment has he made of the potential benefits to UK industry from this contra
Answer: The Early Capability Demonstrator platforms of the RCH155, two for Germany and one for the UK, will be built in Germany for joint testing.The project remains in its assessment phase and a production contract has not yet been placed.
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArtillery: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106626More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference his Department’s press release on 28 December 2025 regarding the signing of a £52 million contract for RCH 155, how much UK content will be part of the production of the capability.
Answer: The Early Capability Demonstrator platforms of the RCH155, two for Germany and one for the UK, will be built in Germany for joint testing.The project remains in its assessment phase and a production contract has not yet been placed.
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArtillery: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106625More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference his Department’s press release entitled UK and Germany sign £52m contract for cutting-edge artillery, published on 28 December 2025, where the capability will be manufactured.
Answer: The Early Capability Demonstrator platforms of the RCH155, two for Germany and one for the UK, will be built in Germany for joint testing.The project remains in its assessment phase and a production contract has not yet been placed.
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmy: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 31 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 87118More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to Answer of 17 January 2024 to Question 10337 in Session 2023-24, how many recruits starting at each training centre for each of the five years listed completed their Phase 2 training.
Answer: The number of recruits who completed their Phase 2 training, having started their Phase 1 training at each respective training centre in the years 2019-2024 are provided below.Table 1. Regular Army Other Rank Untrained Intake by Training Establishment dur...
Answered 10 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: RecruitmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86791More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to raise the minimum age of military recruitment to 18.
Answer: The Armed Forces have no plans to raise the minimum age of recruitment. All recruitment into the UK military is voluntary and no young person under the age of 18 years may join our Armed Forces unless their application is accompanied by the formal written...
Answered 10 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordArmy: RecruitmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86790More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 14 November 2023 to Question HL288 on Army: Recruitment, what were the conclusions of the evaluation of bespoke terms of service for under-18s.
Answer: The Soldier terms of service will continue to apply to all personnel, including for those under-18. The Army takes its duty of care for all personnel, particularly those under 18, extremely seriously, ensuring they are treated with special consideration. ...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordArmy Foundation College: Sexual OffencesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86789More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many complaints have been made by (a) junior soldiers and (b) their parents or guardians about unacceptable sexual behaviour at the Army Foundation College between 1 January 2018 and 30 November 2024.
Answer: The information is not held in the format requested.However, 159 sexual misconduct allegations were recorded on the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system against personnel serving at Army Foundation College (Harrogate) (AFC(H)) between 1 January 201...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordArmy: Advisory ServicesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86788More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on the establishment of Independent Advisory Panels (IAPs); at which barracks have IAPs been created; and when was the last time his Department reviewed the effectiveness of
Answer: The Ministry of Defence has made significant progress in establishing Independent Advisory Panels (IAPs) for the Army. All Army Basic Training and Initial Trade Training units now have IAPs. IAPs are aligned to units, rather than locations, and some train...
Answered 7 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordArmy: Advisory ServicesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86787More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on (a) the establishment of Independent Advisory Panels and (b) new welfare provisions.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence has made significant progress in establishing Independent Advisory Panels (IAPs) for the Army. All Army Basic Training and Initial Trade Training units now have IAPs. IAPs are aligned to units, rather than locations, and some train...
Answered 7 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordArmy Foundation College: Mental HealthMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86786More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many junior soldiers residing at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate were (a) referred to mental health services and (b) signed off sick by a medical professional due to mental ill health between 1 Janua
Answer: Between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2024, 182 junior soldiers at AFC Harrogate underwent an initial assessment at a Ministry of Defence (MOD) Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH). There are multiple routes for junior soldiers at the Army Founda...
Answered 10 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordArmy: GCSEMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86785More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons the Army does not offer GCSE retakes.
Answer: The Army is an equal opportunities employer, with its literacy and numeracy policy centred on nationally recognised Functional Skills (FS) qualifications, which are the standard for career and service progression within the Army. While GCSEs are recognise...
Answered 7 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordChild Maintenance Service: Electronic GovernmentDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86784More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) digitising and (b) introducing an online portal for the Child Maintenance Service.
Answer: The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) offers a range of digital services designed to support separated families. These include 'Child Maintenance Calculator’, ‘Get Help Arranging Child Maintenance’ and ‘My Child Maintenance Case’(MCMC). Through these servic...
Answered 11 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordFireworks: RegulationDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 17 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83020More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to (a) reduce decibel levels in fireworks, (b) restrict sales of fireworks to licensed shops and (c) create firework-free zones.
Answer: There are currently no plans to bring forward legislation in relation to fireworks. However, the Government is continuing to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues with and impacts of fireworks to inform any...
Answered 27 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordEducational Psychology: TrainingDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 78868More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the number of training placements of educational psychologists to meet the expected demand for education, health and care plans by each local
Answer: Educational psychologists play a critical role in the support available to children and young people, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. That is why we are investing over £21 million to train 400 more educational psychologist...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament record
Earlier
These years have fewer than ten items, so they stay on this page.
Steroid Drugs: DeathCabinet OfficeTabled 13 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20049More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many death certificates mentioning steroids were issued in each of the last five years.
Answer: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 13th December is attached.
Answered 24 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordFurther Education: PayDepartment for EducationTabled 26 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16363More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the 5.5% pay award for teachers in academized sixth forms to non-academized colleges.
Answer: Unlike 16-19 academies, sixth form colleges are part of the statutory further education (FE) sector. The department does not set or recommend pay in FE providers, which have the freedom to make their own arrangements in line with their local circumstances...
Answered 4 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordGreyhounds: Animal WelfareDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 26 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16331More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his Department's policies of trends in the number of greyhounds that have died at racetracks since 2023.
Answer: The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has published data for injuries, retirements and euthanasia of greyhounds from GBGB affiliated tracks and trainers each year since 2018. This data is published online at https://www.gbgb.org.uk/welfare-care/inju...
Answered 2 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordMigrant Workers: VisasHome OfficeTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12608More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of dropping the salary requirement for people on visas employed by the Government.
Answer: The Home Secretary confirmed on 30 July that we will be retaining the salary threshold increase brought in by the previous government. Further details can be found in her Written Ministerial Statement here: Written statements - Written questions, answers ...
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordRailways: SwindonDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11664More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress her Department has made on the potential opening of public direct travel between Swindon and Oxford using the current freight track.
Answer: In September, Great Western Railway began a trial of direct services between Bristol, Bath, Swindon and Oxford. This trial is on Saturdays only with two direct services in each direction. It will run until May 2025, to understand levels of passenger deman...
Answered 6 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordLeasehold: ReformMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 28 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11471More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her timeline is for implementation of (a) the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and (b) other government initiatives to tackle leasehold issues.
Answer: I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave to Question UIN 8491 on 18 October 2024.
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordDiplomatic Service: Married PeopleForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10186More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing spouses of people sent on British diplomatic missions to continue working if (a) they work for a Government
Answer: The FCDO supports the principle of spouses, partners or dependents overseas taking up employment outside the Mission, in accordance with the law of the receiving State. Where local laws or regulations impose restrictions on such employment, we encourage P...
Answered 24 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordAnimal Products: ImportsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8509More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timetable is for the introduction of legislation to ban imports of hunting trophies.
Answer: The Government committed to banning the import of hunting trophies in its Manifesto. We intend to deliver on this and are currently considering the most effective way to do so.
Answered 17 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSports: DisadvantagedDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8508More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to (a) improve access to and (b) increase involvement in sports in deprived areas.
Answer: The Government is committed to improving access to sports and physical activity for everybody, wherever they live. Sport and physical activity is central to achieving our health and opportunity manifesto missions, with the biggest gains coming from suppor...
Answered 18 Oct 2024
Original Parliament record