John McDonnell MP: written questions
313 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Navy: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113442More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the replacement vessels his department has ordered from Serco Marine under the Defence Maritime Service Next Generation (DMS NG) programme will be owned by the MoD.
Answer: Yes. Information regarding the contract for the Defence Maritime Services Next Generation Vessel Replacement Programme can be found through the following link: https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder
Answered 27 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordMerchant Shipping: CrewMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113441More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of maternity and paternity rights of seafarers working on merchant ships covered by the Merchant Shipping (Ministry of Defence Commercially Managed Ships) Order
Answer: The Merchant Shipping Order provides a foundation for seafarers’ rights. For the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), these statutory measures are substantially augmented by a comprehensive suite of policies supporting all employees through every life event, offe...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRoyal Fleet Auxiliary: Conditions of EmploymentMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113440More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will provide an update on the implementation of the (a) Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2024 and (b) Employment Rights Act 2025 for merchant seafarers in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
Answer: RFA seafarers already receive the full statutory rights provided under the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2024 and the Employment Rights Act 2025. Since September 2025, the RFA has operated an independent assessment system, supported by exter...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRoyal Fleet Auxiliary: Parental LeaveMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113439More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary regarding the application of merchant shipping regulations covering RFA merchant seafarers’ maternity and paternity rights.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring that the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) maintains a positive, equitable workplace for all seafarers. RFA employees benefit from comprehensive employment rights and conditions well exceeding Maritime Labour Con...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHome Office: Sick LeaveHome OfficeTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113438More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of mental health absences in the Work, Study, Family and Ukraine visa unit within the Visas and Passports directorate, in each of the past th
Answer: Obtaining the specific information requested would involve collating and verifying information from multiple systems owned by multiple teams across the Home Office and, therefore, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Answered 25 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordHome Office: Sick LeaveHome OfficeTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113437More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the mental health absence rate is in (a) the Work, Study, Family and Ukraine visa unit within the Visas and Passports directorate, and (b) the Home Office.
Answer: Obtaining the specific information requested would involve collating and verifying information from multiple systems owned by multiple teams across the Home Office and, therefore, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Answered 25 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordReading: Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112569More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans his Department has to promote the National Year of Reading in Northern Ireland.
Answer: I recently hosted the East West Council in Belfast where the Minister for Early Years noted the significant collaboration between all four nations of the UK to support the National Year of Reading. Education is a devolved matter and is the responsibility ...
Answered 27 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordReading: ScotlandScotland OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112568More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans his Department has to promote the National Year of Reading in Scotland.
Answer: The National Year of Reading is a UK-wide campaign to address the steep decline in reading enjoyment amongst children, young people and adults. For example, only this week our delivery partner for this campaign, the National Literacy Trust, revealed that ...
Answered 25 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordReading: WalesWales OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112567More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what plans her Department has to promote the National Year of Reading in Wales.
Answer: My Department works closely with the Department for Education (DfE) and the Welsh Government to deliver for the people of Wales across a range of shared priorities. The National Year of Reading, a DfE initiative, aims to address long-term declines in read...
Answered 27 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordReading: EqualityDepartment for EducationTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112566More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to promote equality and inclusion as part of the National Year of Reading.
Answer: The National Year of Reading is a UK-wide campaign designed to tackle the steep decline in reading enjoyment amongst children, young people and adults, and to engage new audiences in reading. It aims to make lasting change to the nation’s reading habits a...
Answered 24 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordReadingDepartment for EducationTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112565More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure a long-term legacy from the National Year of Reading.
Answer: The National Year of Reading 2026 aims to make lasting change to the reading habits of the nation to address the decline in reading for pleasure, unlocking one of the most powerful tools for equity and opportunity, a love of reading that lasts a lifetime....
Answered 24 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordReadingDepartment for EducationTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112564More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans her Department has to promote the National Year of Reading in a) early years settings, b) primary schools, c) secondary schools, d) further education and e) higher education.
Answer: The National Year of Reading is a UK-wide campaign to address long-term declines in reading enjoyment.It includes a major physical and online marketing campaign, as well as exciting events, webinars, resources, and activities in communities, libraries, sc...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordOffenders: ReadingMinistry of JusticeTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112563More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans his Department has to promote literacy enrichment in the criminal justice system as part of the National Year of Reading.
Answer: The National Year of Reading is a welcome opportunity to promote a wide range of activity to improve literacy and engagement with reading for people in custody and on probation. As part of this work we have appointed the first ever Prison Reading Laureate...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordOffenders: ReadingMinistry of JusticeTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112562More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that people in the criminal justice system participate in the National Year of Reading.
Answer: The National Year of Reading is a welcome opportunity to promote a wide range of activity to improve literacy and engagement with reading for people in custody and on probation. As part of this work we have appointed the first ever Prison Reading Laureate...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordReading: Civil Society CovenantDepartment for EducationTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112561More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the Civil Society Covenant will play a role in the delivery of the National Year of Reading.
Answer: The National Year of Reading is a UK-wide campaign to address the steep decline in reading enjoyment amongst children, young people and adults. It is a department initiative, in collaboration with our delivery partner, the National Literacy Trust, who are...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordYoung Futures Hubs: ReadingDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112560More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what role Young Futures Hubs will play in the delivery of the National Year of Reading.
Answer: The National Year of Reading is a Department for Education initiative, in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust. Young Futures Hubs will bring together services to improve access to opportunities and support for young people at community level, p...
Answered 27 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordLibraries: ReadingDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112559More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to increase library engagement during the National Year of Reading.
Answer: Public libraries are central to the success of the National Year of Reading’s campaign to engage people of all ages with reading. The Reading Agency has been appointed to work with sector partners to deliver and support public library engagement. The Summ...
Answered 27 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordLibraries: ReadingDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112558More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what role public libraries will play in the delivery of the National Year of Reading.
Answer: Public libraries are central to the success of the National Year of Reading’s campaign to engage people of all ages with reading. The Reading Agency has been appointed to work with sector partners to deliver and support public library engagement. The Summ...
Answered 27 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordLord MandelsonCabinet OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112557More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Humble address of 4 February 2026, what material the ISC will have the authority to determine the publication of; and whether the Government will have a right to veto ISC decisions on the p
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transpa...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLord MandelsonCabinet OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112556More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that all documents relevant to his Department's investigation into Peter Mandelson are received in a timely manner.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transpa...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLord MandelsonCabinet OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112555More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, will the information received on the inquiry into Peter Mandelson be forwarded to the Intelligence and Security Committee (a) in tranches and (b) all together.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transpa...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLord MandelsonCabinet OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112554More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what is the expected date for completion of the review into the material related to Lord Mandelson.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transpa...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLord MandelsonCabinet OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112553More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what resources he has allocated to the disclosure process on the Peter Mandelson inquiry.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transpa...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPakistan: Human RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110709More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of Pakistan’s compliance with its obligations under international human rights conventions, particularly in relation to enforced
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 February to question 107345.
Answered 13 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordVisas: PakistanHome OfficeTabled 2 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 109958More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department takes before issuing visas to former Pakistani military officers.
Answer: UK Visas and Immigration undertake a range of checks as part of the visa application process. These checks can include verifying the information provided by the applicant, assessing their eligibility against the relevant Immigration Rules, verifying suppo...
Answered 10 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
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