Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will have discussions with UK industrial hemp producers regarding removing current restrictions on its production and use in UK constructions.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

Cannabis is a Class B controlled drug and can only be cultivated under Home Office licence. The Home Office operates two licensing regimes in respect of cannabis cultivation. The standard cannabis cultivation regime permits the use of the controlled parts of the plant (e.g., leaves and flowers) and the cultivation of high-THC varieties indoors. There must be a lawful purpose, such as pharmaceutical production. The industrial hemp regime permits the cultivation of low-THC varieties to use the non-controlled parts of the plant (mature stalk and seeds), but not the controlled parts of the plant (e.g. flowers and leaves). The Government has introduced two reforms to make it easier for farmers to cultivate industrial hemp. In January 2025, the rules on site sensitively were removed. The duration of licences granted from January 2026 has been extended from three years to six years, with no additional fees, to help businesses plan. The Home Office works closely with DEFRA to ensure a balance between proportionate regulation of cannabis cultivation and provision of opportunity for UK businesses around the use of hemp. As part of this work, officials from both departments have met with UK hemp producers.

Question

To ask The Senior Deputy Speaker, further to the Written Answers by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 30 July 2025 (HL9539) and 18 February 2026 (HL14266), why a safety deck was constructed for the safety of workers but does not enable access for peers and others; and what the justification is for the apparent inconsistency between the assessment of the safety implications in those two scenarios.

Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble

The area around the base of Victoria Tower is currently a restricted access construction site with preparatory groundwork, including deep excavations, underway ahead of the full scaffolding build later this year. It is not safe for Member or public access or thoroughfare. The workers who need to access the area do so with numerous safety measures in place. A pedestrian walkway will be reinstated as part of the final full scaffolding build.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to require the Medical Practitioners' Tribunal Service to prioritise consideration of the victims of sexual offences and the need to prevent reoffending when imposing sanctions on doctors found to have committed serious sexual offences.

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

The General Medical Council (GMC) is independent of the Government, directly accountable to Parliament, and is responsible for operational matters concerning the discharge of its statutory duties. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service is a statutory committee of the GMC. The United Kingdom’s model of healthcare professional regulation is founded on the principle of regulators operating independently from the Government.

The Department discusses a range of issues with the GMC, including cases of sexual misconduct. We will continue to engage with the GMC on this issue, including to understand how the new guidance may impact the outcomes of tribunal findings in cases of sexual misconduct.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with the General Medical Council and the Professional Standards Authority regarding the Medical Practitioners' Tribunal Service not revoking the registrations of doctors accused of serious sexual offences.

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

The General Medical Council (GMC) is independent of the Government, directly accountable to Parliament, and is responsible for operational matters concerning the discharge of its statutory duties. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service is a statutory committee of the GMC. The United Kingdom’s model of healthcare professional regulation is founded on the principle of regulators operating independently from the Government.

The Department discusses a range of issues with the GMC, including cases of sexual misconduct. We will continue to engage with the GMC on this issue, including to understand how the new guidance may impact the outcomes of tribunal findings in cases of sexual misconduct.