Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Royal Navy Estate statement on 15th July, what estimate he has made of the (a) mine hunting facilities required at the site, and (b) autonomous mine countermeasures systems and support vessels to be based there.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence has purchased the Finnart Oil Terminal on Scotland’s west coast, marking a multi-million-pound investment to strengthen the United Kingdom’s national security and defence resilience. There will be a phased relocation of equipment, autonomous systems and support vessels to support mine hunting operations from 2028. This approach allows investment and capability growth to be matched to emerging operational requirements, ensuring continuity of mine countermeasures capability while supporting the longer-term transformation of the HMNB Clyde estate and MHC operating model.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Royal Navy Estate statement on 15th July, what the planned timetable is for the establishment of mine hunting operations at the Finnart Oil Terminal.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence has purchased the Finnart Oil Terminal on Scotland’s west coast, marking a multi-million-pound investment to strengthen the United Kingdom’s national security and defence resilience. There will be a phased relocation of equipment, autonomous systems and support vessels to support mine hunting operations from 2028. This approach allows investment and capability growth to be matched to emerging operational requirements, ensuring continuity of mine countermeasures capability while supporting the longer-term transformation of the HMNB Clyde estate and MHC operating model.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average time taken to respond to correspondence from Hon. and Rt hon. Members acting on behalf of constituents was in each of the last two calendar years; and what proportion of such correspondence was responded to within the Department's 15 working day target in each year.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 September 2026 to Question 27726

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of responses from his department responding to Hon. and Rt hon. Members acting on behalf of their constituents.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 September 2026 to Question 27726

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, if he will consider the potential merits of increasing funding for life sciences research to approximately £40m per year to maintain spending levels in real terms and support the UK's cancer research base.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The government does not ringfence funding for cancer research. The overall Research & Development (R&D) budget is set at Government Spending Reviews.

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade invests approximately £200 million annually in cancer research via UK Research and Innovation. The Department of Health and Social Care spent £141.6 million in 2024/25 via the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The Life Sciences Sector Plan sets out measures to strengthen the UK's life sciences ecosystem and enable world-class R&D. This includes £42.8 million for the Office for Life Sciences' Cancer Healthcare Goals Programme to support development of cancer diagnostics and therapies.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to support international efforts to address sovereign debt challenges faced by developing countries; and what discussions he has had with international partners on reforming global debt restructuring mechanisms to improve access to timely and effective debt relief.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The UK has a long history of leadership on global sovereign debt. Tackling unsustainable debt and its impact on global stability is one of the UK Government’s international priorities. The UK has fully participated in recent debt restructurings, working alongside other creditors to restore debt sustainability. We have also championed transparency and sustainability, including publishing details of new lending and introducing “pause clauses” into UK debt to provide fiscal space following external shocks.

The Government works through various multilateral fora, including the G20, Paris Club and the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable. The UK also co-chairs the London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt which brings together government and private sector stakeholders to find innovative solutions to more sustainable sovereign debt financing in developing economies.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism due to come into effect on 1 January 2027 on UK companies that are reliant on imported steel and other carbon-intensive products.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

CBAM is expected to have limited impacts on importers and users of CBAM goods, as set out in the tax information and impact note published alongside primary legislation in November 2025. The tax information and impacts note can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introduction-of-carbon-border-adjustment-mechanism/carbon-border-adjustment-mechanism#summary-of-impacts

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Written Statement of 13 October 2026 on CMA Heating Oil Market Study: Government Response, what timetable her Department has established for consulting on and implementing the proposed consumer protection framework for the domestic heating oil sector.

Answered by Polly Billington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The government has confirmed that it plans to strengthen regulations in the market for the first time, making sure households who use heating oil are treated fairly.

We will now take forward a programme of reform to establish a stronger consumer protection framework for households. Next steps will include working across government, regulators, devolved governments, industry and consumer bodies to develop options for a proportionate regulatory regime, underpinned by a robust evidence base, extensive engagement and the appropriate legislative framework.

This will take time, and it’s important we get it right, to ensure the best outcomes for consumers. We’ll set out more detail on the approach as soon as possible.

The Enchanted Forest's 25th anniversary

BBC Scotland channel closure

Jackdaw gas field

BBC Scotland TV's reductions to services

Commemorating victims of the Arandora Star tragedy of 1940

Pope Leo XIV

Hospitality VAT reduction and the VAT Is The Problem campaign

University of St Andrews named top university

Support for off-grid homes

150th anniversary of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876

US sanctions on Cuba

Found: Declaration of Interests Dave Doogan declared his interests in accordance with the Resolution of the

Found: Hoy MSP, Finlay Carson MSP, all South Scotland regional MSPs, Dawn Black MSP, Andrew Bowie MP, Dave Doogan

Found: Prior to entering the Scottish Parliament, he worked for Graeme Dey MSP, and Dave Doogan MP, and had

Found: Prior to entering the Scottish Parliament, he worked for Graeme Dey MSP, and Dave Doogan MP, and had

Found: Prior to entering the Scottish Parliament, he worked for Graeme Dey MSP, and Dave Doogan MP, and had

Found: Prior to entering the Scottish Parliament, he worked for Graeme Dey MSP, and Dave Doogan MP, and had