Blair McDougall MP: written questions
121 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Mobile BroadbandDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 14 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23946More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to improve access to mobile telecommunications in blackspots.
Answer: The Government wants all areas of the UK, including East Renfrewshire constituency, to benefit from good quality mobile coverage.Through the Shared Rural Network, which has helped to deliver 4G mobile coverage to 95% of the UK a year ahead of target, we a...
Answered 22 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordSheinHome OfficeTabled 14 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23945More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the oral evidence of 7 January 2025 given by Shein to the Business and Trade Select Committee, HC 370, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the compliance by Shein with sl
Answer: The Government is committed to tackling modern slavery, ensuring that victims are provided with the support they need to begin rebuilding their lives and that those responsible are prosecuted. All businesses should monitor their supply chains with rigour ...
Answered 22 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordArmenia and Azerbaijan: Politics and GovernmentForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 14 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23944More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the government of Azerbaijan on territorial claims made by President Aliyev for territory within Armenia.
Answer: The UK fully recognises the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Armenia and Azerbaijan. We welcome the progress on the delimitation of their borders and support the efforts of both sides to agree a lasting settlement to their decades' long confl...
Answered 30 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordBBC: ScotlandDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 3 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 21731More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will have discussions with the BBC on maintaining a sustainable production department in Scotland.
Answer: The public service remit for television requires that public service broadcasters like the BBC make an appropriate range and amount of their programmes across the UK. This includes specific obligations to production in Scotland, where the BBC is required ...
Answered 13 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordMigrant Workers: VisasHome OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20855More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to review the salary threshold for the visa sponsorship programme.
Answer: The Home Secretary confirmed on 30 July that the Government will be retaining the increase to the general salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa route brought in by the previous government. The general salary thresholds are updated on an annual basi...
Answered 27 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordChina: Falun GongForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 16 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20341More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help protect the Falun Gong community in China.
Answer: The environment for freedom of religion or belief across China is restrictive, which includes the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.This Government will champion freedom of religion or belief for all abroad. We will work to uphold the right to freed...
Answered 19 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordPakistan: UyghursForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 16 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20340More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Pakistani counterpart on the role of that country’s Islamic Council in the persecution of Uyghur Muslims.
Answer: The UK remains deeply concerned by the discrimination faced by marginalised religious communities around the world. In Pakistan, we work to promote the rights of religious minorities through diplomatic engagement and programme funding. I raised the issue ...
Answered 24 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordAsma al-AssadHome OfficeTabled 16 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20339More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will remove Asma Assad's UK citizenship.
Answer: We do not comment on individual cases.But in the wider issue raised, the Home Office acted swiftly to temporarily pause decisions on Syrian asylum claims whilst we assess the current situation.We keep all country guidance relating to asylum claims under c...
Answered 23 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordChina: TaiwanForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 16 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20286More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the statement by the Chinese Embassy to the UK entitled Embassy Spokesperson on a Taiwan-related motion concocted by a handful of British MPs, published on
Answer: The UK's longstanding position on Taiwan, as set out in the 1972 Communiqué, has not changed and remains the position of this government.
Answered 19 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordChina: Water SupplyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 12 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19809More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of recent incursions by the Coastguard of the People's Republic of China into the restricted wate
Answer: The UK's longstanding position on Taiwan has not changed. The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We consider the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through construct...
Answered 19 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordMandatory Provident Fund: British National (Overseas)TreasuryTabled 11 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19486More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will issue guidance to (a) HSBC and (b) Standard Chartered on the validity of British National (Overseas) passports for Hong Kongers to use to secure early withdrawals of their Mandatory Provident Fund saving
Answer: This government is deeply committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK. We are aware that individuals who have chosen to take up the British National (Overseas) route are having difficulties accessing their Manda...
Answered 19 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordUN Security Council: Public AppointmentsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17309More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make it his policy to support a female appointment as General Secretary of the United Nations.
Answer: The UK supports a merit-based appointment for UN Secretary-General, based on principles of transparency and inclusiveness. The Government would like to see women's representation strengthen across the multilateral system, and we welcome the Secretary-Gene...
Answered 11 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordGeorgia: DemonstrationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17308More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will have discussions with international counterparts on the use of force against pro-democracy protesters in Georgia.
Answer: In his 9 December statement the Foreign Secretary strongly condemned the excessive use of force against protesters and journalists in Georgia. He also outlined the suspension of programme support to the Georgian government as a result of the crackdown. In...
Answered 13 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordChina: Foreign RelationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14727More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department's China audit will engage with Hong Kong BNO status holders that live in the UK.
Answer: Work on the audit is underway and will involve consultation with a range of experts within and beyond government.The audit will examine the UK's interests with respect to China. This will improve our ability - both inside and outside of Government - to un...
Answered 25 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordJimmy LaiForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14726More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Opinion No. 34/2024 on Jimmy Lai publish
Answer: The FCDO takes the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention's Opinion very seriously. The UK Government has consistently called for Jimmy Lai's release and raised concerns about his case directly with the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities.The Prime Ministe...
Answered 25 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordOppression: Hong KongHome OfficeTabled 15 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14511More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what support her Department has provided to British citizens from Hong Kong living in the UK who have had bounties placed on their heads by the Chinese government.
Answer: It is the first duty of government to keep its citizens safe. Attempts to intimidate and silence individuals in the UK by foreign powers, including China, are unacceptable. The protection of individuals’ freedoms, and safety is of the upmost importance. W...
Answered 25 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordOppressionHome OfficeTabled 15 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14510More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what support her Department provides to UK residents threatened by agents of authoritarian regimes overseas.
Answer: The first duty of any government is to keep the country safe and protect its citizens. The UK does not tolerate attempts by any state to threaten or intimidate UK residents. We continually assess potential risks and take the protection of individuals’ rig...
Answered 25 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordEducational Institutions: SubversionDepartment for EducationTabled 5 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12753More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department issues guidance on (a) identifying and (b) tackling political interference from international actors to academic institutions.
Answer: Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.The government works in partnership with the sector to support institutions to make informed decisions on international collaborations and manage national security ...
Answered 15 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: WomenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 31 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 12156More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to (a) reduce waiting times for gynaecological procedures and (b) help support women's health.
Answer: Nearly 600,000 women are on gynaecology waiting lists. It is unacceptable that patients are waiting too long to get the care they need. Cutting waiting lists, including for gynaecology procedures, is a key part of our Health Mission and a top priority for...
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordLebanon: BBC World ServiceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11611More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of Russian-backed media transmitting on the radio frequency previously occupied by the BBC World Service's Arabic statio
Answer: The BBC is editorially and operationally independent and makes its own decisions about where to broadcast, audiences to reach and content. The BBC Arabic language service continues to operate and reaches a weekly average audience of 35 million people acro...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBritish National (Overseas): Mandatory Provident FundForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11085More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will issue guidance to (a) HSBC and (b) Standard Chartered on ensuring that British National (Overseas) passports are valid documents for Hong Kongers to use to secure
Answer: We are aware of the concerning reports that individuals who have chosen to take up the BN(O) visa route are having difficulties in the early drawing down of their Hong Kong MPF savings. We deeply value the UK's growing Hong Kong community and will address...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordItaly: SurrogacyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10236More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made representations to the government of Italy on that country's recent ban on couples travelling abroad for surrogacy.
Answer: As a key ally, we exchange views frankly and respectfully with Italy including on women's empowerment, gender equality and LGBT+ issues. We do this bilaterally and in multilateral fora. The FCDO will continue to discuss a range of issues with Italian cou...
Answered 28 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHamas: Hostage TakingForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10235More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Qatari counterpart to help secure the release of the 101 Israeli hostages being held in Gaza.
Answer: Since day one, we have been working alongside our allies and partners in the region, including Qatar, in support of ongoing negotiations. The UK welcomes the tireless efforts of our partners in Qatar, Egypt and the United States. We need the hostages retu...
Answered 31 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHamas: Hostage TakingForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10234More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with international counterparts on Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
Answer: Since day one, we have been working alongside our allies and partners in the region, including Qatar, in support of ongoing negotiations. The UK welcomes the tireless efforts of our partners in Qatar, Egypt and the United States. We need the hostages retu...
Answered 31 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordEmily DamariForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10233More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to secure the release of Emily Damari from Hamas captivity.
Answer: Since our first day in government we have been working alongside our allies and partners in the region in support of ongoing negotiations to secure the release of the hostages, including Emily Damari and all those connected to British citizens. We appreci...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →