Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications of the Chinese-owned hotel which has been built overlooking RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

We take the security of our people, bases and interests extremely seriously. RAF Akrotiri is protected by robust, multi-layered security measures, which we keep under constant review. For reasons of operational security, we do not comment on the details of these measures.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case of the late Peter McCormack; and what representations they will make, if any, to the High Court in Belfast about the change in his status from innocent civilian to IRA volunteer.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence has not received a civil claim on behalf of Peter McCormack and is therefore not involved in any related legal proceedings. It would not be appropriate to comment on matters that may be before the courts.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that planning policy maintains safeguards for existing and future on-site hospital helipad infrastructure, and does not restrict its availability for continuous air ambulance operations.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), published in August 2026, gives substantial weight to the benefits of providing new or improved public service infrastructure, including healthcare facilities.

The NPPF is clear that existing community facilities and public services should not have unreasonable restrictions placed on their current or permitted operation as a result of development being approved after they were established. This means that development proposals should be capable of being integrated effectively with existing public service activities and infrastructure in their vicinity including blue light services.

Where the operation of an existing activity could have a significant adverse effect on a proposed new development in its vicinity, development proposals should identify the nature of the potential impacts and be able to demonstrate that suitable mitigation can be provided before the development has begun.

The new NPPF and the government’s response to the consultation are available on gov.uk here.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to establishing a hospital helipad infrastructure contingency fund to address urgent funding requirements when unforeseen needs arise beyond the capacity of the HELP Appeal.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government recognises the important role that hospital helipads can play in supporting emergency and specialist care pathways. However, it has not established, and is not currently considering, a dedicated contingency fund for hospital helipad infrastructure.

Decisions on capital investment are primarily taken by National Health Service organisations and systems, which must balance a range of competing clinical and estate priorities within available resources. Where helipad infrastructure is identified as a local priority, NHS organisations may consider how best to support these requirements, including through charitable contributions such as those provided by the HELP Appeal.

Found: Carlile of Berriew (The Chair); Lord Dodds of Duncairn; Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard; Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee

Found: Carlile of Berriew (The Chair); Lord Dodds of Duncairn; Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard; Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee

Found: Carlile of Berriew (The Chair); Lord Dodds of Duncairn; Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard; Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee

Found: Carlile of Berriew (The Chair); Lord Dodds of Duncairn; Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard; Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee

Found: Present: Lord Carlile of Berriew Lord Dodds of Duncairn Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee

Found: Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Q36–65 Wednesday 4 February 2026 The Rt Hon. the Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee

Found: Present: Lord Carlile of Berriew Lord Dodds of Duncairn Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee

Found: Carlile of Berriew (The Chair); Lord Dodds of Duncairn; Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard; Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee

Found: Rt Hon Sir Chris Bryant MP, has today announced the reappointment of The Rt Hon. the Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee