Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the cumulative value of orders his Department has placed with Scottish defence contractors for new equipment.

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

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not centrally maintain data specifically on the country of ownership of its suppliers. Therefore, contracts awarded to Scottish suppliers have been identified using the primary supplier site postcode of the contract and matching this with a reference list of Scottish postcodes. This does not guarantee that suppliers are Scottish registered businesses or that work for the contracts are conducted in Scotland.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Prime Minister's oral contribution in response to the hon. Member for Glasgow South West during Prime Minister's Questions on 3 September 2025, Official Report, column 291, what his evidential basis is for the statement that the First Minister has not welcomed the deal.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

I refer the Hon Member to the Prime Minister's words on 3 September 2025, Official Report, column 291.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it is her Department's policy that foreign nationals who have received a Stage 1 decision letter regarding their possible deportation following an offence resulting in a custodial sentence should remain in custody until a deportation decision has been made.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

We make every effort to ensure that a foreign national offender’s (FNOs) removal by deportation coincides with their release from prison upon completion of their custodial sentence.

Latest published information shows that 51% (2,632) of FNOs removed between 5 July 2024 and 4 July 2025 were removed directly from prison under the Early Removal Scheme, which is a 10% increase compared to the 2,385 in the same period 12 months prior.

The public rightly expect us to maintain a firm and fair immigration system and immigration detention plays a crucial role in enabling the removal of individuals who include serious, violent, and persistent FNOs.

We do not detain people indefinitely. The law does not allow it. In each case, we must have a realistic prospect of removal in a reasonable timescale, and includes consideration given to the likelihood of risk to the public and absconding from immigration control. Published Home Office detention policy is clear that detention must only ever be used sparingly and for the shortest period necessary.

We have safeguards in place which underpin detention decisions. These include regular reviews once a person is in detention to ensure that their detention remains lawful, appropriate, and proportionate. In addition, those detained can apply to the courts at any time for bail from detention and FNOs held in detention have the option to apply to an independent immigration judge for bail at any point.

Where the Home Office cannot remove a FNO within a realistic timeframe, the individual may be released into the community.

The decision to release a foreign national offender into the community is never taken lightly. The threat of harm to the public or vulnerable individuals, victims, and their families, as well as the risk of absconding is always carefully considered. The Home Office and HMPPS work closely together to manage risk in the community.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will provide a breakdown of the (a) damages and (b) associated costs caused by protestors at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025.

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

The Ministry of Defence do not yet hold an itemised breakdown of the costs requested. The final cost will not be known until after each of the damaged engines has been through a comprehensive overhaul.

Jenny and Bill Anderson 12 years of service at Rannoch Station Tearoom

Proposed changes to STV News and STV North News at 6

Five-year indefinite leave to remain pathway for Skilled Worker visa holders

Protections for the welfare of wild animals in tourism

Naloxone

Farmers, growers and the supermarket supply chain

Conduct of Prince Andrew

Digital ID

Right to object to data being used in online direct marketing

Sanctions on Israel and International Court of Justice findings

Proposal for a wealth tax

No description available

The UK Government has committed to increase defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027, with plans to reach 3% in the next Parliament. Given Scotland’s significant role in the UK’s defence sector, this inquiry will explore how Scotland’s economy and job market can benefit, particularly through the creation of highly skilled jobs. The Committee will examine existing skills gaps in the sector, how they can be addressed to maximise the economic impact of investment, and the UK Government’s role in supporting the creation and retention of the skilled jobs needed to grow the defence industry. It will also consider how Scotland can support the delivery of the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Ministry of Defence’s engagement with Scottish SMEs, which dominate the Scottish private sector, as well as the use of local supply chains.