Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what is his timeline to determine the Rosebank oil field application.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Secretary of State will be making a decision as to whether or not to agree to the grant of consent in due course.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what his planned timetable is for a decision on the approval of the Jackdaw oil field.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Secretary of State will be making a decision as to whether or not to agree to the grant of consent in due course.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the new High Street Strategy will extend to Scotland.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The UK Government is currently developing a High Streets Strategy to help tackle the long-term challenges facing high streets. Powers supporting high street regeneration in Scotland are reserved to the Scottish government. This includes local government and planning, non-domestic rates, economic development and culture.
Further detail will be set out in due course.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the work of the new Retail and Hospitality Envoy will extend to Scotland; and whether the Envoy will be engaging with representative bodies such as the Scottish Retail Consortium.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
At the recent Budget, the Government announced its intention to appoint a Retail and Hospitality Envoy to champion the sector across Government. The detail of the role is being finalised, the Envoy will be expected to work collaboratively with Government departments, existing councils, trade bodies and businesses.
Retail and Hospitality policy in Scotland is still devolved and any matters relating specifically to Scottish Retail or Hospitality policy should be directed to the Scottish Government.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Ming Yang opening a wind turbine manufacturing plant in the UK on energy security.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We cannot comment on individual investment cases, but maintaining a secure energy supply is a key priority for the UK Government. Investment into the energy sector is subject to the highest levels of national security scrutiny, and we will continue to work closely with industry to build secure supply chains and ensure the UK remains one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the minutes of the Food Standards Agency’s Committee on Toxicity meeting of 25 March 2025; and whether he plans to hold discussions with the Food Standards Agency on the potential merits of (a) withdrawing its review of the safety of nitrites in processed meats, (b) publishing (i) correspondence, (ii) criteria and (iii) communications relating to its preparation and (c) commissioning a multidisciplinary study considering (A) animal, (B) human and (C) mechanistic evidence.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) review of nitrates and nitrites as food additives is an important piece of work and will not be withdrawn. Its purpose was to summarise recent evidence from human studies to inform policy decisions, rather than to provide a full risk assessment. Current policy continues to align with NHS dietary advice, which recommends limiting consumption of red and processed meat, some of which contain nitrites, to 70g per day. We understand public concern about potential long-term health effects, including cancer risk, and remain committed to monitoring emerging evidence closely.
To maintain transparency, the full report, including its scope, search criteria, and details of the external contract, has been published on Government websites. This allows stakeholders and the public to see exactly how the review was conducted and how conclusions were reached.
The published report clearly sets out the methodology and criteria used, providing clarity and confidence in the process. While the FSA does not routinely publish internal correspondence or preparatory communications, due to the potential inclusion of commercially sensitive or personal information, the report itself provides full transparency on the evidence base and decision-making approach.
There are no plans to commission a broader multidisciplinary study. Existing permitted nitrite levels are based on robust international risk assessments and remain appropriate to protect public health. Commissioning a new study would require significant resource and is not justified without new evidence indicating a change in risk.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department has had discussions with the Scottish Government on (a) joining or (b) contributing to the work of the Retail Industry Leadership Group.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
The Scotland Office is not a member of the Retail Industry Leadership Group, which is co-chaired by Ministers of the Scottish Government. The Group was established by the Scottish Government in 2022. The Scotland Office maintains close contacts with industry across Scotland, including the retail sector, and champions them overseas through the Brand Scotland programme.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had discussions with the Scottish Government on their statements on Israel.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
Foreign Affairs and Defence Policy is reserved to the UK Government. Since day one, this Government has been clear that we need to see an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages cruelly detained by Hamas, better protection of civilians, significantly more aid consistently entering Gaza, and a path to long-term peace and stability. All our international partners understand that this is the UK’s position.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on (a) promoting the safety of ethnic minority groups, (b) raising awareness of antisemitism and (c) protecting Jews in Scotland.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
Public safety is devolved to the Scottish Government. The Scotland Office regularly engages with Police Scotland on the safety of all our communities. The Government is clear that there is no place or justification for antisemitism.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department’s policies of Viaro Energy controlling 5 per cent of the UK’s total gas production.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
DESNZ is unable to comment on the specifics of any individual project or the investment decisions of individual operators while the regulatory process is underway. This is a matter for the North Sea Transition Authority.