Mark Pritchard MP: written questions
347 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Intelligence and Security CommitteeCabinet OfficeTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108607More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will update the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament.
Answer: The Prime Minister values the independent and robust oversight which the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) provides. Following discussions with the Committee, the Cabinet Office is conducting a review of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) betwe...
Answered 3 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordTrials: Social MediaMinistry of JusticeTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108606More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to amend the Contempt of Court Act 1981 to reflect public comments about trials on social media platforms.
Answer: Rules and restrictions on what can be said during ongoing court proceedings are vital to ensure that trials are fair and justice is delivered. The Government recognises that social media is putting these long-established rules under strain, especially in ...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordChurch of England: HerefordChurch CommissionersTabled 26 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108182More
Question: To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, if the Commissioners will hold discussions with the (i) Dean and (ii) Bishop of Hereford to discuss spiritual and community events and celebrations planned for 2026 to recognise
Answer: The Church Commissioners are in regular discussion with the Bishop of Hereford and the Dean of Hereford. The Diocese of Hereford has planned an extensive range of activities to mark the 1350th anniversary of its foundation. The full events list and resou...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordRoyal Mail: Universal Service ObligationDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106497More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is able to take to encourage Ofcom to sanction Royal Mail if it fails to fulfil its Universal Service Obligation.
Answer: It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to decide how to use its powers to investigate and take enforcement action should Royal Mail fail to achieve its obligations without good justification. In October last year, Ofcom fined Ro...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordTrials: Social MediaAttorney GeneralTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106496More
Question: To ask the Solicitor General, what steps she is taking to support the prosecution of (a) individuals who post comments online about defendants prior to trial which could prejudice legal proceedings, and (b) the tech platforms on which those comments are p
Answer: The Contempt of Court Act 1981 is clear that publishing information that creates a substantial risk of serious prejudice or impediment to any active proceedings can be contempt of court. These rules and restrictions are in place to ensure that trials are ...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordGeorgia: Politics and GovernmentForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 907376More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the political situation in Georgia.
Answer: Democracy in Georgia is under threat, and we are working closely with our European allies to respond to that concern.Last October, I reiterated my concerns to Georgian Foreign Minister Botchorishvili over democratic backsliding, opposition arrests and att...
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDiplomatic Service: Public AppointmentsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 13 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105207More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will publish the number of UK Ambassadors and High Commissioners appointed in May, June and July 2024.
Answer: All appointments of Ambassadors and High Commissioners made by His Majesty The King are routinely announced on GOV.UK.
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordVideo Games: ChildrenDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102731More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with online game producers on enabling parents or carers to block marketing of in-app purchases to children while playing online games.
Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring that video games are enjoyed safely and responsibly by everyone, particularly children, and that where they contain in-app purchases, guidance is followed so that consumers of all ages can play with confidence. The ...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCommunity EnergyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102730More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to allow community energy schemes to sell their power directly to households and businesses in nearby communities.
Answer: The Government recognises the role of community energy in delivering net zero and is working with Ofgem to address regulatory barriers, including routes to market. Through developing the Local Power Plan we are working with Great British Energy to explore...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordConveyancing: StandardsMinistry of JusticeTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102729More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to help support people affected by the poor performance of specialist conveyancing businesses which are not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Answer: The regulation of legal services in England and Wales operates independently of government and is underpinned by the Legal Services Act (LSA) 2007. The Act establishes a framework under which certain activities, known as reserved legal activities, may onl...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordGeneral Practitioners: TrainingDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102728More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on improving neurodevelopmental training for GPs on ADHD and autism across all ages.
Answer: General practitioners (GPs) are responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge, including on autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, remains up-to-date and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional develop...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordInflammatory Bowel Disease: ResearchDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102727More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support research into inflammatory bowel disease on reducing waiting times for diagnosis and treatment.
Answer: The Department is committed to ensuring that all patients, including those with inflammatory bowel disease, have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative treatments. The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and ...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBroadcasting Programmes and Film: ShropshireDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 101729More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will have discussions with Creative England on the potential merits of producing (a) television programmes and (b) films in Shropshire.
Answer: The Government is committed to spreading the benefits of our world-leading film and TV sector across the country. The Creative Industries Sector Plan, published in June 2025, announced a £75 million Screen Growth Package, which includes dedicated funding ...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordChronic Illnesses: CosmeticsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101338More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what advice and support his Department is providing to people in Shropshire who claim they have contracted, or might develop, serious illnesses as a result of using Johnson & Johnson talcum powder
Answer: Individuals in Shropshire who believe they may have been affected by use of talcum products should seek medical advice from their general practitioner. They may also wish to consider contacting specialist organisations for support and information on legal...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRussia: SanctionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100305More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will introduce sanctions against senior members of Russia's GUGI agency.
Answer: On 17 June 2025, the UK sanctioned the Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation (GUGI). As per the UK's long-standing policy on sanctions, it would not be appropriate to speculate about any future sanction...
Answered 29 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordCommunity AssetsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94154More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will extend Community Right to Buy powers to include environmental assets such as peat bogs, heathland, meadows, woods and rivers.
Answer: The new community right to buy, which we are introducing through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, will give communities stronger powers to take ownership of assets that are important to them. Communities will already be able to nomin...
Answered 3 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAsylum: British NationalityHome OfficeTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92976More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will consider the potential merits of offering fast track UK citizenship to asylum seekers who report (i) the preparation of acts of terror, (ii) serious organised crime and (iii) approaches by
Answer: The requirements to become a British citizen are set out in the British Nationality Act 1981 and apply equally to everyone. The Act does not allow the government to reduce residential periods for those who report crimes.The Government has recently launche...
Answered 28 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 87713More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will lower business rates for (a) high street businesses, (b) businesses without a physical storefront on a street and (c) other small and medium sized businesses.
Answer: The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospital...
Answered 13 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordAgriculture and Business: Inheritance TaxTreasuryTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 87712More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will withdraw the planned changes to (a) Agricultural Property Relief and (b) Business Property Relief.
Answer: The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce t...
Answered 17 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordBusiness: TaxationTreasuryTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 87711More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will commit not to introduce any new taxes which increase the cost of doing business.
Answer: At the Budget on 26 November, the government will continue to deliver on the priorities of the British people: cutting NHS waiting lists, cutting the national debt and cutting the cost of living. There will be no return to austerity and we will end the un...
Answered 13 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordBrownfield SitesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 28 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 85707More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to publish an annual brownfield site audit for England.
Answer: Local planning authorities are required to maintain a register of brownfield sites that they have assessed as appropriate for residential development. My Department has no current plans to undertake an annual audit of such registers.
Answered 5 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordGreenland: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84148More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will hold discussions with his (a) Danish and (b) Greenlandic counterparts on the establishment of a NATO naval presence on the east coast of Greenland.
Answer: NATO’s maritime posture is determined collectively by Allies rather than through bilateral negotiations. The UK has a close defence relationship with Denmark, including through NATO and the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).
Answered 31 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordRoyal HouseholdTreasuryTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84147More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps with the Royal Household to establish an inventory of (a) publicly and (b) privately owned items in royal residences.
Answer: The Royal Collection Trust is responsible for the care and conservation of the Royal Collection and there is already a publicly available inventory of object records held by the Royal Collection Trust on the rct.uk website.Separately, the Royal Household ...
Answered 31 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMobile Phones: TheftHome OfficeTabled 21 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83765More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, ?if she will take steps with mobile phone companies to introduce a (a) single and (b) central emergency telephone number paid for by mobile phone (i) operators and (ii) manufacturers to allow reportin
Answer: The Home Secretary and Policing Minister are determined to take the strongest possible action to reduce the number of phone thefts in London and elsewhere across the country.This is a crime that causes significant distress to victims and fuels wider crimi...
Answered 30 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: UkraineChurch CommissionersTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83256More
Question: To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what support the Church of England is providing to military chaplaincy training in Ukraine.
Answer: Anglican chaplains, as part of the Royal Army Chaplaincy Department, have been involved with training and providing ongoing to support to approximately 200 Ukrainian chaplains over the last 3 years.The Bishop to the Armed Forces and the former Archbishop ...
Answered 12 Nov 2025
Original Parliament record
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