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To ask His Majesty's Government how many prisoners were released from prisons in England and Wales in the first three months of 2026; and how many people were recalled to prison in the same period.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many prisoners were released from prisons in England and Wales in the first three months of 2026; and how many people were recalled to prison in the same period.
To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of recalls to prison in England and Wales in the first three months of 2026 resulted from a suspicion that further crimes had been committed.
To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of recalls to prison in England and Wales in the first three months of 2026 resulted from a suspicion that further crimes had been committed.
My Lords, given the general consensus that the displacement of the Palestinian people is in itself a war crime, will the Government now take the opportunity to place before the House all the assistance that we give to the State of Israel now, so that harder decisions can be taken on what sanctions must be imposed to prevent this further appalling activity?
My Lords, given the general consensus that the displacement of the Palestinian people is in itself a war crime, will the Government now take the opportunity to place before the House all the assistance that we give to the State of Israel now, so that harder decisions can be taken on what sanctions must be imposed to prevent this further appalling activity?
We continue to engage with Israel, and I think that is right, because that is the right way to have some influence, difficult though that undoubtedly is at the moment. We have taken the decision to withdraw arms licences to Israel, and even before we did that, less than 1% of the arms used by Israel in this conflict would ever have come from the UK. We have made sanctions decisions against members of the Israeli Cabinet, and we continue, of course, to consider further measures as may be necessary. For now, the focus is on the UN General Assembly in a matter of weeks, where a very significant position may be taken on Palestinian recognition. We will not be commenting on future sanctions designations. I take the noble Lord’s question as a request for more transparency and information. I am struggling to work
out exactly what he wants to know, but if there is something specific, I will use every endeavour to provide that for him.
My Lords, would the Minister confirm that the F35A is capable of being fully marinised?
My Lords, would the Minister confirm that the F35A is capable of being fully marinised?
The F35A has a number of different capabilities, but I just need to check so I do not misinform the noble Lord. It is dual capability in terms of the weapons it can carry, and it normally operates from airfields. If I understand the noble Lord’s question right, I will check it, write to him and put a copy in the Library, because I need to make sure that I do not misinform him and, indeed, the House.
My Lords, would the Minister consider a trial run of reopening high street recruiting centres, the closing of which was, in my view, a disaster? They enable people who know the area in which they are recruiting and the people whom they want to recruit much better than some remote service. Would the Minister consider giving that a trial just to see whether it still works?
My Lords, would the Minister consider a trial run of reopening high street recruiting centres, the closing of which was, in my view, a disaster? They enable people who know the area in which they are recruiting and the people whom they want to recruit much better than some remote service. Would the Minister consider giving that a trial just to see whether it still works?
The noble Lord makes an important point; I will pass his views on to the Minister and report back.
My Lords, can the Minister confirm that in respect of these particular talks, quite apart from the vital necessity of the release of the hostages, it is very much the imperative that the Israelis are made to open more spaces for relief to starving Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere?
My Lords, can the Minister confirm that in respect of these particular talks, quite apart from the vital necessity of the release of the hostages, it is very much the imperative that the Israelis are made to open more spaces for relief to starving Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere?
The Israeli Government have a responsibility to allow aid to those who need it. The situation is urgent: the hunger and the deaths from the cold that we have seen among young children because of the change in the weather are appalling. We appeal to the Israeli Government to allow the necessary aid to reach those who need it.
My Lords, I declare my interest as in the register. While we all want to tackle problem gambling, very wealthy punters who can comfortably sustain large losses really are not the issue. However, by driving them to the black market with poorly targeted affordability checks, the finances of racing have, as the Minister has heard, gravely damaged both a major national sport and an important rural industry. Will she make sure that any regulatory action proposed by the Gambling Commission is sensible and proportionate and, above all, avoids unintentional consequences?
My Lords, I declare my interest as in the register. While we all want to tackle problem gambling, very wealthy punters who can comfortably sustain large losses really are not the issue. However, by driving them to the black market with poorly targeted affordability checks, the finances of racing have, as the Minister has heard, gravely damaged both a major national sport and an important rural industry. Will she make sure that any regulatory action proposed by the Gambling Commission is sensible and proportionate and, above all, avoids unintentional consequences?
Most people gamble without issue, but we recognise the huge impact that harmful gambling can have on individuals and their families. As the noble Lord states, however, there is a difference between those who can gamble without issue and those who come to serious harms, both in their lives and those of their families. As stated in the Government’s manifesto, we are absolutely committed to strengthening protections for those at risk. The Gambling Commission’s new survey which came out last week really helps to show the wider picture of gambling behaviour across Great Britain, and we will consider its findings very carefully.
My Lords, will my noble friend confirm that there will be, and is, a pipeline of training sufficient for the pilots of both the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm to cover these mythical beasts?
My Lords, will my noble friend confirm that there will be, and is, a pipeline of training sufficient for the pilots of both the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm to cover these mythical beasts?
My Lords, the training programme is in line with the build-up of aircraft. While it is not an easy thing to get right, the aircraft will certainly be capable of being manned.
My Lords, does my noble friend the Minister agree that this shows serious failure of command and leadership at both operational and command level? Is he satisfied that this matter was dealt with at a fast enough pace? It seems that the first complaints were made a very long time before anything happened. I would be grateful if my noble friend could look into that.
My Lords, does my noble friend the Minister agree that this shows serious failure of command and leadership at both operational and command level? Is he satisfied that this matter was dealt with at a fast enough pace? It seems that the first complaints were made a very long time before anything happened. I would be grateful if my noble friend could look into that.
My noble friend makes a couple of very good points. On the timelines, because one inquiry led into the next, it was very important that the thoroughness was followed the whole way through. The casework that fell out of the NSI, which then flowed into the chain of command investigation, and the casework and investigations required to follow that, made it appear a relatively slow process. In fact, it was not; it was going at quite a pace. There is an acceptance that there was poor leadership. Obviously, I cannot comment on individual cases, but all those responsible have been subject to appropriate action.
My Lords, does my noble friend agree that, on top of the onerous requirements for civilian reconstruction of Ukraine, there will be the serious matter of dealing with the most battle-hardened army in Europe? It is a matter that the British Armed Forces would be very accomplished in helping with. Will my noble friend raise this matter in preparation for the civilian reconstruction, so that we are able to deal with what will be a very serious security situation?
My Lords, does my noble friend agree that, on top of the onerous requirements for civilian reconstruction of Ukraine, there will be the serious matter of dealing with the most battle-hardened army in Europe? It is a matter that the British Armed Forces would be very accomplished in helping with. Will my noble friend raise this matter in preparation for the civilian reconstruction, so that we are able to deal with what will be a very serious security situation?
My noble friend shares a very valuable insight, and I assure him that I will do just that. We will work closely with all our key partners on the very points that he has raised. We fully support Ukraine in all aspects of its recovery, including its military capabilities.
Does my noble friend agree with me that the AUKUS programme will place a considerable strain on the delivery times of the existing submarine programme? Does he also agree that the most rigorous accountability and management will be required to deliver this very welcome but onerous programme?
Does my noble friend agree with me that the AUKUS programme will place a considerable strain on the delivery times of the existing submarine programme? Does he also agree that the most rigorous accountability and management will be required to deliver this very welcome but onerous programme?
I agree with my noble friend on both points. On his second question, rigorous accountability and management will of course be critical to such a large-scale project. However, I see the AUKUS announcement as very good news, both in strengthening our ties with allies and partners and for the domestic defence industry in the United Kingdom.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what trade arrangements the UK have with Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what trade arrangements the UK have with Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries form an important market for UK businesses. Total exports of goods and services from the UK to GCC countries were £27.9 billion in the year to the end of June 2019, 4.3% of total UK exports. The UK and GCC countries do not currently trade on preferential terms. The UK is committed to deepening our trading relationship with the GCC countries and has a number of Government-to-Government trade dialogues, including the annual Joint Economic Committee with the United Arab Emirates and Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) with Qatar.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate she has made of the amount of power that will be available through nuclear generation in 2050.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate she has made of the amount of power that will be available through nuclear generation in 2050.
We are going to need a substantial increase in low carbon generation to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050. Nuclear power currently provides around 20% of our electricity generation and is likely to have an important role in delivering a low cost, stable, reliable, lowcarbon system in 2050.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his US counterpart on the importance of that country's continuing co-operation under the Open Skies Treaty.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his US counterpart on the importance of that country's continuing co-operation under the Open Skies Treaty.
Senior officials from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence have raised the topic with their US counterparts, emphasising that we believe the Treaty remains a valuable Confidence and Security Building Measure which contributes to military transparency and reducing the risk of conflict.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with his NATO counterparts on the potential effect of Turkish missile systems on UK air operations against Daesh.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with his NATO counterparts on the potential effect of Turkish missile systems on UK air operations against Daesh.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has spoken to NATO counterparts on various occasions about a range of topics, most recently at the NATO Defence Ministerial meeting on 24-25 October. The UK has repeatedly raised concerns at Ministerial and official level about the Turkish purchase of S-400 missiles.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with his (a) Turkish counterpart and (b) NATO counterparts on Turkey's acquisition of Russian anti-air missile systems.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with his (a) Turkish counterpart and (b) NATO counterparts on Turkey's acquisition of Russian anti-air missile systems.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has raised our concern about Turkey's acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile system with both our Turkish and wider NATO counterparts. Turkey is a valued NATO Ally, on the front line of some of the UK and the Alliance's most difficult security challenges. Defence equipment procurement decisions are for individual nations, but all NATO allies have committed to reducing their dependence on Russian-sourced military equipment.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations he has made to NATO on the importance of continued cooperation under the Open Skies Treaty.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations he has made to NATO on the importance of continued cooperation under the Open Skies Treaty.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has raised this with his US counterpart and senior Government officials have also done so with theirs. We have also discussed this with other NATO Allies. In our representations we have emphasised that we believe the Treaty remains a valuable Confidence and Security Building Measure which contributes to military transparency and reducing the risk of conflict.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Turkey on its desire to acquire nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Turkey on its desire to acquire nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement.
Turkey is a party of the international nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has been part of a nuclear-sharing programme among NATO allies. We expect Turkey to continue to respect its obligations as a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. We will continue to monitor any claims that Turkey wishes to obtain nuclear weapons.
To ask the Prime Minister, what direction he has given and to which Departments on the UK's future relationship with the EU after the UK leaves the EU.
To ask the Prime Minister, what direction he has given and to which Departments on the UK's future relationship with the EU after the UK leaves the EU.
The Government is undertaking extensive preparations in advance of the next phase of negotiations with the EU. The Political Declaration sets out firm commitments to achieve a comprehensive free trade agreement and take back control of our laws, borders, money and trade.
The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union is leading preparations for our Future Relationship negotiations across Government, on my behalf. The Department for Exiting the European Union works closely with colleagues in No10, my Europe Adviser, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UKRep in Brussels and key Whitehall Departments such as the Department for International Trade, HM Treasury and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, in that work. This includes working closely with all departments to put in place appropriate governance structures and to build further our capacity and capability, in order to start negotiating the future relationship as soon as possible after we leave.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, which Departments she has directed to be responsible for attracting foreign direct investment.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, which Departments she has directed to be responsible for attracting foreign direct investment.
As outlined in the Explanatory Note accompanying the Prime Minister’s Written Ministerial Statement on Machinery of Government changes laid on 18 July 2016, the Department for International Trade is responsible for ‘both inward and outward investment enabling the Government to take a more strategic approach to how both can contribute to UK prosperity and serve the nation’s long-term economic aims’.