Graeme Downie MP: written questions
460 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Nuclear Submarines: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 11 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8733More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department will publish a Contract Notice for Submarine Disposal following the Market Interest Day held on 6 July 2023.
Answer: The Submarine Disposal Capability project was established in 2022 to identify an enduring disposal solution. The project is in its Concept Phase and market engagements were undertaken in July 2023 and June 2024 to inform the optimum way ahead.The next pha...
Answered 21 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordNuclear Submarines: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8595More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects the legacy nuclear powered submarine fleet to have been decommissioned.
Answer: Swiftsure, the first submarine to be fully disposed of, is being used as a demonstrator to refine the dismantling and recycling processes under the Ministry of Defence's Submarine Dismantling Project. There will be a continual process of learning as Swift...
Answered 18 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSubmarines: Repairs and MaintenanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8594More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure long-term availability of submarine berths for repair and maintenance in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK.
Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring the availability of submarine berths to support submarine operations, which includes the Continuous at Sea Deterrent. We are focussed on the long-term infrastructure development of His Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Cl...
Answered 18 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordNuclear Submarines: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8593More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has held with international (a) allies and (b) partners on the Submarine Dismantling Project.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continues to engage with industry partners to ensure we can deliver an optimised submarine dismantling programme. The Swiftsure demonstrator project serves as a proof of concept and benchmark against which market testing of f...
Answered 18 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordNuclear Submarines: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8592More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Submarine Dismantling Project on the economy in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence regularly engages with Scottish Government officials on the Submarine Disposals Programme, allowing constructive dialogue on a wide range of issues including jobs. Swiftsure, the first vessel to be disposed of, is being used as a d...
Answered 18 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordNuclear Submarines: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8591More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on supporting skills development for Scottish workers to enable them to get jobs as part of the Submarine Dismantling Project.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence regularly engages with Scottish Government officials on the Submarine Disposals Programme, allowing constructive dialogue on a wide range of issues including jobs. Swiftsure, the first vessel to be disposed of, is being used as a d...
Answered 18 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordFleet Solid Support Ships: ShipbuildingMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8590More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what locations are being considered for the (a) build and (b) assembly of the fleet solid support ships.
Answer: Successful delivery of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) Ships project remains a priority. On current plans, the three FSS ships will be assembled from blocks which are expected to be built in Harland & Wolff (H&W) shipyards in Belfast and Appledore i...
Answered 21 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordNuclear Submarines: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8589More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to publish a timetable for the implementation of the Submarine Dismantling Project.
Answer: Swiftsure, the first submarine to be fully disposed of, is being used as a demonstrator to refine the dismantling and recycling processes under the Ministry of Defence's Submarine Dismantling Project. There will be a continual process of learning as Swift...
Answered 18 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordNuclear Submarines: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8588More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's timetable is for deciding on the next steps for the Submarine Dismantling Project.
Answer: Swiftsure, the first submarine to be fully disposed of, is being used as a demonstrator to refine the dismantling and recycling processes under the Ministry of Defence's Submarine Dismantling Project. There will be a continual process of learning as Swift...
Answered 18 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordMyanmar: FuelsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7188More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to sanction the sale of jet fuel to Myanmar.
Answer: The UK strongly condemns the Myanmar military's airstrikes on civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals and places of worship. This is unacceptable. To date, the UK has imposed six sanctions targeting the import of aviation fuel, focusing on t...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordRailways: VeteransDepartment for TransportTabled 6 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4572More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many journeys have been booked using a Veterans Railcard in each month since its introduction.
Answer: Data on the number of journeys made using a Veteran's Railcard is collected by the Rail Delivery Group but is not published due to its commercially sensitivity. Access to this data can be requested, on application, from RDGPublicAffairs@raildeliverygroup....
Answered 16 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordRailways: VeteransDepartment for TransportTabled 6 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4571More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Veterans Railcards have been issued since they were introduced.
Answer: Data on the number of Veteran's Railcards issued is collected by the Rail Delivery Group but is not published due to its commercially sensitivity. Access to this data can be requested, on application, from RDGPublicAffairs@raildeliverygroup.com.
Answered 16 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordType 32 Frigates: Design and ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3599More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timetable is for the (a) design and (b) procurement of Type 32 frigates.
Answer: The Type 32 frigate programme remains in the concept phase and has not yet reached the level of maturity to allow publication of a specific design and procurement timetable.
Answered 9 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordWarships: ConstructionMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3598More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) welders and (b) electricians required to complete surface warship construction.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence has regular engagement across all aspects of surface warship construction, including the skills required to support it. This Government recognises the vital role Defence, and its skilled workforce, play not only in our national sec...
Answered 19 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordType 31 Frigates: SalesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3597More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with international partners on the sale of Type 31 frigates.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence is actively supporting live and prospective export campaigns based on the Type 31 (with the export variant known as the Arrowhead 140) capability with support from the Department of Business and Trade. For example, the Secretary of...
Answered 19 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordUkraine: WarshipsMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3596More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Ukrainian naval ships are docked in UK waters; and what plans he has to return those ships to the Ukrainian navy for active service.
Answer: The Royal Navy transferred two Sandown class mine countermeasure vessels to the Ukrainian Navy last year, both of which are docked in the UK.The ships company are undergoing training and exercises with the Royal Navy and NATO partners to prepare them for ...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordVeterans: ScotlandScotland OfficeTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3595More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to work with the Scottish Government to improve services for veterans in (a) Dunfermline and Dollar constituency and (b) Scotland.
Answer: The UK Government is committed to supporting those who served and risked their lives for this country - a great number of whom I know live in my honourable Friend’s constituency. The Office for Veterans Affairs continues to work closely with the Scottish ...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordFerries and Railways: ScotlandScotland OfficeTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3594More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to work with the Scottish Government to improve (a) rail and (b) ferry provision in (i) Fife and (ii) Scotland.
Answer: Scotrail run rail services in both Fife and wider Scotland, and responsibility for these services lie with the Scottish Government. Similarly, ferry services are also devolved to the Scottish Government. This Government is, however, working to ensure publ...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordScottish Cities AllianceScotland OfficeTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3593More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to work with the Scottish Cities Alliance.
Answer: The Scottish Cities Alliance is an important stakeholder. There is a clear synergy in the work of the Scottish Cities Alliance and how this Government wants to kickstart economic growth in all parts of the country. Therefore, I have plans to meet with the...
Answered 4 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordEngineering: ApprenticesScotland OfficeTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3592More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to work with the Scottish Government to (a) support and (b) increase engineering apprenticeships in Scotland.
Answer: Scotland has always produced world-class engineers, and this Government is committed to growing the economy and supporting the sector all across the UK.Scotland is at the forefront of the Government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordHyperemesis GravidarumDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3591More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when NHS England last reviewed guidance for hyperemesis gravidarum; and whether that review was shared with (a) the Scottish Government and (b) NHS Scotland.
Answer: We recognise the challenges including the emotional and physical impacts that hyperemesis gravidarum can have on pregnant women and their families. Appropriate and evidence-based guidance is crucial.NHS England regularly reviews all health guidance, inclu...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: ScotlandTreasuryTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3590More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when she will confirm agricultural funding for Scotland beyond March 2025.
Answer: The 2025-26 Scottish Government block grant funding will be confirmed at phase 1 of Spending Review 2025 on 30 October 2024. It is for the Scottish Government to allocate their funding in devolved areas, including agriculture.
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordAnimal Health Certificates: Fees and ChargesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1127More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the average annual cost to pet owners of obtaining an animal health certificates for travel to an EU country.
Answer: Animal Health Certificates are obtained from an official veterinarian. All fees are set by veterinary surgeons or veterinary practices and are a private matter between individual practices and their clients.
Answered 30 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordPets: TravelDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1126More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with EU representatives on the potential reintroduction of pet passports.
Answer: Defra applied to the European Commission in February 2020 for the United Kingdom (UK) and Crown Dependencies to be listed as a ‘Part 1’ third country for the purposes of the EU pet travel scheme having met all of the EU’s stated conditions to be granted t...
Answered 30 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordPets: TravelDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1125More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will have discussions with his EU counterparts on the ease of pet transportation between the UK and EU member states.
Answer: Defra applied to the European Commission in February 2020 for the United Kingdom (UK) and Crown Dependencies to be listed as a ‘Part 1’ third country for the purposes of the EU pet travel scheme having met all of the EU’s stated conditions to be granted t...
Answered 30 Jul 2024
Original Parliament record
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