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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the Government has to strengthen origin labelling requirements for pork products.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Country of origin information is required for certain products, including fresh and frozen pig meat. It is also required for all prepacked food where its omission would be misleading to consumers.

Under existing rules, food that is not classed as of UK origin cannot be sold or labelled as being British. Processed foods (such as bacon and sausages) and composite foods that are made in the UK, are British.

We continue to monitor how origin information is presented and the commitments supermarkets have made, and are considering what more can be done to help consumers make informed choices.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of whether current pig supply-chain arrangements enable producers to receive a fair share of the final retail value of pork products.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government has not made a specific assessment of the share of the final retail value of pork products received by producers.

However, the Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations 2025, which came into force for all contracts in August this year, support fairer and more transparent relationships between producers and purchasers in the pig supply chain.

While the Regulations do not set pig prices, they require contracts to include clear pricing provisions and greater transparency on how prices are determined. This helps producers make informed business decisions and provides greater certainty over contractual terms.

Anyone with concerns about compliance should contact the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA), which is responsible for enforcing the Regulations. ASCA also operates an anonymous ‘in-confidence’ channel for producers who do not wish to share their personal details: [email protected].

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will meet with me to discuss sub-sea cement applications with regard to offshore wind within Scottish supply chains.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

I would be happy to consider a request to meet. Invitations should be submitted through the usual channels, either by post or by email, and will be considered in the normal way.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to Norfolk Vanguard East & West, whether his department has received RWE's supply chain plans.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Clean Industry Bonus (CIB) replaced Supply Chain Plans for offshore wind projects from Allocation Round 7 of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme. Applicants are required to obtain a CIB statement, demonstrating investment in shorter and more sustainable supply chains, before entering the CfD auction. Both Norfolk Vanguard East and Norfolk Vanguard West obtained such statements and were awarded Contracts for Difference in Allocation Round 7. Officials engage regularly with RWE on supply chain delivery for both projects.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking with the DVSA to reduce driving test waiting times in Forfar.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government set out a comprehensive package of measures in April 2025 to tackle long waiting times across the whole of Great Britain, aiming to deliver around 10,000 additional tests per month. A key step was reintroducing overtime incentives. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) conducted 1.99 million tests between April 2025 and March 2026, a record and 8.6% (159,000) higher than the previous year.

DVSA has made changes to make the booking system fairer, as well as continuing to run national recruitment campaigns for driving examiners (DE) across the country.

Forfar driving test centre (DTC) is an outstation of Dundee DTC. DVSA currently sends an examiner to Forfar twice a week to conduct tests. DVSA recently completed a recruitment campaign for Dundee DTC and has made two offers of employment. Recruiting additional examiners at Dundee will enable DVSA to increase the number of tests available in Forfar.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether additional resources will be made available to reduce driving test waiting times in Forfar.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government set out a comprehensive package of measures in April 2025 to tackle long waiting times across the whole of Great Britain, aiming to deliver around 10,000 additional tests per month. A key step was reintroducing overtime incentives. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) conducted 1.99 million tests between April 2025 and March 2026, a record and 8.6% (159,000) higher than the previous year.

DVSA has made changes to make the booking system fairer, as well as continuing to run national recruitment campaigns for driving examiners (DE) across the country.

Forfar driving test centre (DTC) is an outstation of Dundee DTC. DVSA currently sends an examiner to Forfar twice a week to conduct tests. DVSA recently completed a recruitment campaign for Dundee DTC and has made two offers of employment. Recruiting additional examiners at Dundee will enable DVSA to increase the number of tests available in Forfar.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what funding is available to communities across the UK under the Pitching In programme; which body administers that funding in Scotland; and under what criteria is it allocated.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is committed to delivering new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities that promote health, wellbeing and community cohesion.

Our investment into grassroots sports facilities in Scotland is made via the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities (MSGF) Programme, which is investing £8.14 million in 2026/27. The programme delivers projects such as new artificial grass pitches, changing pavilions and pitch maintenance equipment.

The MSGF Programme is delivered by the Scottish Football Association in Scotland, where it is administered as part of the SFA’s wider Pitching In Programme. The MSGF Programme aims to promote health, wellbeing and community cohesion, while removing the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups, such as women and girls, people with disabilities, and ethnic minority communities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the UK’s 10 year Defence Nuclear Enterprise rolling cost.

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

The Defence Investment Plan sets out £63.6 billion of planned investment in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise between financial years 2026-27 and 2029-30, excluding workforce costs.

The Defence Investment Plan sets out the Government’s current priorities and strategic intent for investment in Defence over the coming decade, underpinned by detailed spending plans from 2026-27 to 2029-30. Spending plans beyond that will be subject to future Spending Reviews.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that individuals impacted by the Hartley Pensions Limited case will receive access to appropriate levels of advice and support while the FCA investigates allegations of criminal activity.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the impact of delays and uncertainty for those affected by the failure of Hartley Pensions. Hartley Pensions is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and HM Treasury continues to work with the FCA to monitor the administration. The administrators are responsible for updating customers directly and recent updates on timetables are available on their website.

The FCA’s enforcement investigation is a matter for the FCA as the independent regulator.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Oral Statement of 8 September 2026 on Israel and Palestine, Official Report, columns 879-884, if he will set out how he will monitor the effectiveness of his sanctions to help tackle illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The enforcement and effectiveness of sanctions is a priority for the Government, and we conducted a major cross Government review of this in 2025. Government departments and specialised agencies are mandated to lead on the enforcement and implementation of sanctions.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether a lead shipyard has been identified for the Common Combat Vessels programme; and when he expects the lead shipyard to be announced.

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

Work on the Type 91-94 and Common Combat Vessel continues. Further detail will be released as appropriate as these programmes develop.

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.

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

Air Ambulance Week 2026

Tent of Nations Nassar family farm

Found: ) Wednesday 20 May 2026 Members present Patricia Ferguson, in the Chair Maureen Burke Dave Doogan

Found: Chair) Maureen Burke (Labour; Glasgow North East) Harriet Cross (Conservative; Gordon and Buchan) Dave Doogan

Found: Q121 Dave Doogan: You have slightly beaten me to the punch there, Chair.

Found: Chair) Maureen Burke (Labour; Glasgow North East) Harriet Cross (Conservative; Gordon and Buchan) Dave Doogan

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Patricia Ferguson (Chair); Dave Doogan; Lillian Jones; Douglas Lumsden

At its meeting on 9 September, the Committee agreed to inquire into the Electoral Commission's oversight of the funding and governance of political parties in Scotland, and the policies, processes and safeguards associated with the distribution of Short Money to political parties. Further information on the scope of this inquiry will be published in due course.

The Lord Advocate and her deputy the Solicitor General for Scotland each assume a “dual role” being both senior government legal advisers, and senior public prosecutors. There is a long-standing and ongoing political and constitutional debate within Scotland about whether the dual role should be split to better mitigate actual and/or perceived conflicts of interest between the two functions. This inquiry will appraise the case for and against splitting the dual role, and exploring different options for reform.

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

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