Question

To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Restoration and Renewal Client Board, what the Client Board's planned timetable is for proposals on restoration and renewal to be considered by hon. Members.

Answered by Charles Walker

The R&R Client Board last month published the strategic case for the R&R Programme. This set out that three options for how to deliver the R&R works to the Palace will be developed in detail over the next year. This detailed work, which will include robust cost, timescale and risk estimates for all three options, is expected to be presented to the Houses in 2025 to enable an evidence-based decision on how best to restore the Palace.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the terror attack in the southern West Bank on 19 March 2024.

Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)

This terror attack serves as a reminder of the daily security challenges Israel faces. There can be no justification for such acts of violence. Every Israeli and Palestinian has the right to live in peace and security. As we have stated previously, for there to be a lasting peace, Israel's security must be assured. We continue to monitor the situation closely, and we continue to have regular discussions with Israeli counterparts on all aspects of the conflict.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to encourage international events organisers to hold events in the UK.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The UK has a strong track record of hosting international events.

From the Women’s Euros to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, these events bring economic and social benefits across the country, and allow us to showcase the UK to the world. My department works with organisations including VisitBritain and UKSport to encourage international event organisers to hold events in the UK.

UKSport recently published its new major event hosting target list for the coming decade, and we will continue to work closely with UKSport and national governing bodies to ensure we develop a strong pipeline of future hosting opportunities that drive significant economic and social benefits for communities across the UK.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of reports of activity by Iran-backed terrorist groups in the West Bank.

Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)

Iran poses an unacceptable threat to Israel, including through its long-term support for proscribed groups such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas operating in Gaza and the West Bank. This . Iran must bear responsibility for the actions of its proxies and partners.

We introduced a new sanctions regime designed to target Iran and its proxies and partners' hostile and destabilising activity last December. We immediately used these new powers to designate individuals and an entity responsible for Iran's support to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

The Foreign Secretary condemned in the strongest terms Iran's attack on Israel in a call with the Iranian Foreign Minister on 14 April, and made clear that Iran must stop these attacks and de-escalate.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will publish a revised version of his Department's Planning Policy Guidance to reflect recent changes to the National Planning Policy Framework.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

Since 19 December 2023, we have updated Planning Practice Guidance multiple times to include new guidance on Biodiversity Net Gain, and updated existing guidance on the Community Infrastructure Levy, Housing Supply and Delivery, the Green Belt, Natural Environment and Viability. Further guidance updates will be published as necessary in due course.