Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede on 24 April (HL6663), what religious and non-religious groups they are aware of that wish to conduct legally recognised marriages in England and Wales and are unable to do so.

Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

I refer the Noble Lady to the answer I gave on 24 April to question HL6663. The Law Commission concluded in its 2022 report on weddings law that there are a number of inconsistencies and complexities within the current legal framework for weddings. Examples given by the Law Commission include the fact that Jewish and Quaker weddings may take place in any location, whereas weddings conducted by other religious groups (save the Church of England), including Muslims, Hindus and Catholics, must take place in a registered building.

The Law Commission therefore recommended a scheme that could place all weddings on a level playing field.

Given the points raised by the Law Commission, it is right that we take the time to consider the issues. We will set out our position on weddings reform in the coming months.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they had with devolved governments ahead of the Chancellor's meeting with Treasury counterparts in the United States.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor attended the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings between 22^nd and 25^th April 2025.

During this time, she met with the US Treasury Secretary, as part of a typical programme of engagement with her finance minister counterparts, and the US was among other bilateral meetings.

When meeting the US Treasury Secretary, the Chancellor discussed matters of reserved policy for which she is responsible.

The UK government, including the Chancellor, regularly engage with counterparts from other nations to progress matters of national interest.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of wildfires on (1) the stability of different landscapes, and (2) slope stability.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra has not made an assessment of the impact of wildfires on (1) the stability of different landscapes, and (2) slope stability.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much public money is being spent on steelmaking in Scunthorpe.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We will report regularly to Parliament on the use of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act and I updated the House with latest information in a Written Ministerial Statement on 20 May 2025.

All funding required for the Scunthorpe site will be drawn from existing budgets, within the spending envelope set out by the government at Spring Statement 2025. As the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the UK's fiscal rules remain non-negotiable.

To date, we have provided approximately £100m for working capital. This covers items such as raw materials, salaries, and addressing unpaid bills, including for SMEs in the supply chain. This does not take into account future revenue. The Department for Business & Trade’s accounts for 2025/26 will reflect the financial support that the department has given to British Steel.

Found: Bill LORD PALMER OF CHILDS HILL BARONESS LISTER OF BURTERSETT LORD YOUNG OF COOKHAM BARONESS SMITH OF LLANFAES

Found: BARONESS SMITH OF LLANFAES LORD RUSSELL OF LIVERPOOL BARONESS BENNETT OF MANOR CASTLE 99_ After Clause

Found: BARONESS SMITH OF LLANFAES LORD RUSSELL OF LIVERPOOL BARONESS BENNETT OF MANOR CASTLE 99_ After Clause

Found: BARONESS SMITH OF LLANFAES LORD RUSSELL OF LIVERPOOL BARONESS BENNETT OF MANOR CASTLE 99_ After Clause

Found: BARONESS LISTER OF BURTERSETT BARONESS O'GRADY OF UPPER HOLLOWAY BARONESS SMITH OF LLANFAES 72_ Clause

Found: Clause 11 BARONESS LISTER OF BURTERSETT BARONESS O'GRADY OF UPPER HOLLOWAY BARONESS SMITH OF LLANFAES