Written questions by Rosindell.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with industry representatives on the potential merits of introducing fee (a) exemptions and (b) reductions in the extended producer responsibility scheme to prevent double charging of packaging waste in the pub sector.

Since Autumn 2024, the Government has been working with stakeholders, including representatives of the hospitality sector, to consider potential amendments to the definition of household packaging. Despite considering multiple approaches, a consensus on a single approach that works for all sectors and within the bounds of legal and regulatory requirements, was not reached. We are continuing to engage with sectors on a way forward and on assessing the tonnages of packaging any amendment might affect in the hospitality sector and in other sectors. We are planning next steps as a priority.

What assessment he has made of the capabilities of the Royal Air Force Chinook fleet.

The phased retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters, as announced by the Secretary of State in November 2024, will be optimised to ensure that the Chinook Force continues to meet its many operational commitments to the British Army and that UK and global readiness continues to be delivered. From January 2027 these 14 helicopters will be replaced by state-of-the-art H47 (Extended Range). The Force remains ready to rapidly deploy as directed by Defence.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the level of cryptocurrency theft by North Korea; what steps he is taking to (a) trace the assets and (b) prevent further illicit transactions; and whether he has considered (i) the imposition of sanctions on (A) cryptocurrency and (B) related entities linked to North Korea and (ii) other steps to help strengthen security regulatory protocols.

The UK has been consistent in challenging malicious cyber activity carried out by North Korean groups. This has included exposing and sanctioning North Korean actors for disruptive attacks that impacted the National Health Service. The National Cyber Security Centre has also issued multiple Cyber Security Advisories specifically on threats from North Korean groups, informing the UK technical audience on the way these groups operate and ways to defend against them.

Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on what extended producer responsibility fee rates are for glass packaging used in the hospitality sector in (a) the UK and (b) other European countries.

Illustrative fee-rates for the UK packaging extended producer responsibility (pEPR) scheme in the UK have been published on GOV.UK and we expect to publish final fee-rates June 2025. Fee-rates vary depending on the material that is used. As part of the development of the UK's pEPR scheme, we have studied mature pEPR schemes across Europe and the rest of the world. This has included looking at their fee rates and how they were calculated. Illustrative base fee estimates for the UK are in the same order of magnitude of other countries’ fees. However, comparisons are not straightforward because of differences in waste infrastructure and waste management approaches.

What recent steps he has taken to support the aerospace industry.

The strategic aim of this Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy is to make sure the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy are aligned. This Government is committed to supporting UK defence manufacturing, including in the aerospace industry, ensuring a robust industrial base and creating skilled job opportunities, particularly through projects which uphold our sovereign capability in producing defence equipment. This Government recognises the vital contribution of the aerospace industry. There are already over 3,500 roles supporting the Global Combat Air Programme in the UK alone, compared to 1,800 in 2021. All Ministry of Defence procurement decisions are carefully considered, taking into account not only the capabilities of the equipment but also the wider economic impact and the need to maintain operational sovereignty.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help improve the provision of renewable energy on St Helena.

The St Helena Government is responsible for energy generation and has set out the ambition for generating 80 per cent of its local energy production from renewable energy sources by 2027/2028. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, through its £30 million Economic Development and Investment Programme, is supporting the St Helena Government to progress capital investment in a range of renewable sources.

What steps he is taking to support the black cab industry in London.

The Department for Transport’s best practice guidance to licensing authorities in England makes a number of recommendations to support the taxi sector. It is clear that regulation should be proportionate to remove unnecessary costs and that fare tariffs are regularly reviewed. Fares should reflect changes in cost the sector incur and provide the trade with confidence to remain in the sector and plan for future investment.The Plug in Taxi Grant (PiTG) has been crucial in supporting taxi drivers’ transition to zero emission capable (ZEC) vehicles and decarbonise our roads. It has supported the purchase of over 10,000 taxis and over 60% of actively licensed London taxis are now ZEC. On 25 February 2025, the Government announced that the PITG will be extended into the 2025/26 financial year.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to prevent the double counting of packaging waste in pubs under the extended producer responsibility scheme.

Since Autumn 2024, the Government has been working with stakeholders, including representatives of the hospitality sector, to consider potential amendments to the definition of household packaging. Despite considering multiple approaches, a consensus on a single approach that works for all sectors and within the bounds of legal and regulatory requirements, was not reached. We are continuing to engage with sectors on a way forward and on assessing the tonnages of packaging any amendment might affect in the hospitality sector and in other sectors. We are planning next steps as a priority.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department issues import permits for hunting trophies of cheetahs.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), an executive agency of Defra, is responsible for issuing import permits for hunting trophies. APHA only issue import permits when the strict criteria set out in the UK Wildlife Trade Regulations are satisfied, including that the import does not have a detrimental impact on the conservation status of a species. Data on permits issued for hunting trophies is publicly available on the CITES trade database - https://trade.cites.org/

Food and Rural Affairs, what comparative assessment he has made of the potential impact of Extended Producer Responsibility on breweries and pubs in (a) the UK, (b) Europe and (c) internationally.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 4th April 2025, UIN 42346.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the hospitality sector on the potential impact of double counting and duplication of packaging waste fees under the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme.

Since Autumn 2024, the Government has been working with stakeholders, including representatives of the hospitality sector, to consider potential amendments to the definition of household packaging. Despite considering multiple approaches, a consensus on a single approach that works for all sectors and within the bounds of legal and regulatory requirements, was not reached. We are continuing to engage with sectors on a way forward and on assessing the tonnages of packaging any amendment might affect in the hospitality sector and in other sectors. We are planning next steps as a priority and will share more information soon.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reintroducing physical exit checks at borders.

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.

If she will make an assessment of the completeness of the data collected under the exit checks programme.

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.

What steps he has taken to increase defence co-operation between the United Kingdom and Japan.

The UK’s defence relationship with Japan is the closest it has ever been. The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) allows our forces to deploy to one another’s countries for large-scale exercises and operations, such as Exercise VIGILANT ISLES which saw more than 100 UK troops deploy to Japan’s island of Kyushu in January 2025. The Carrier Strike Group will conduct training alongside the Japanese Self Defence Forces and HMS PRINCE OF WALES will conduct a port visit in Tokyo later this year. We have stepped up industrial collaboration through the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) to build the next generation of fighter jet by 2035.

If she will consider a mutual recognition of judgements agreement with San Marino.

Foreign judgments (including those from San Marino) can be enforced in the courts of England and Wales at common law by bringing a fresh action, subject to certain limited grounds of refusal.The Government has no current plans to pursue a bilateral agreement with San Marino to further facilitate the recognition of judgments. However, the Government welcomes international cooperation in this area of law, for the benefit of UK businesses and citizens who live, work and trade across borders.

What steps she is taking to help prevent the export of stolen mobile phones by organised criminals.

Through our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee we will place thousands of additional police officers and police community support officers in neighbourhood policing roles to provide a more visible and effective service to the public, with each neighbourhood having a named, contactable officer dealing with local issues, including the theft of mobile phones, handbags and other personal items.To tackle mobile phone theft specifically, on 6 February the Home Secretary brought together police, the National Crime Agency, the Mayor of London, leading tech companies and others to drive greater collaboration in breaking the business model of mobile phone thieves. The Summit resulted in clear commitments from attendees to work in partnership, including to significantly boost the sharing of data and intelligence on mobile phone theft to build a comprehensive picture of the problem, better understand the role of organised crime networks and identify the most effective means of tackling these crimes. As part of ongoing work on this, the Policing Minister recently met with the National Crime Agency and Border Force to consider how best they may be able to contribute to efforts to tackle this criminality.In addition, the Crime and Policing Bill includes a measure to give police the power to enter and search premises for stolen property that has been electronically geo-location tracked to those premises, where it is not reasonably practicable to obtain a warrant without seriously prejudicing the entry and search purpose.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help reduce the cost of fuel on St Helena.

The St Helena Government sets the wholesale fuel price and the island's fuel retailers set the commercial price. The St Helena Government has set out the ambition for generating 80 per cent of its local energy production from renewable energy sources by 2027/2028. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, through its £30 million Economic Development and Investment Programme, is supporting the St Helena Government to progress capital investment in a range of renewable sources.

What comparative assessment she has made of the potential cumulative impact of (a) (i) the extended producer responsibility scheme, (ii) VAT and (iii) beer duty and (b) equivalent taxes in other major European economies on pubs.

I refer the hon. member to my answer 41143 on 2 April.

Whether she plans to reform Air Passenger Duty to extend the exemption for children under 16 years old to travel in Premium Economy or any other cabin classes.

Air Passenger Duty (APD) applies to airlines, not individual passengers, and is the principal tax on the aviation sector. It is expected to raise £4.2 billion in 2024-25 and it aims to ensure that airlines make a fair contribution to the public finances, particularly given that tickets are VAT free and aviation fuel incurs no duty. The distance-based band structure ensures that those who travel furthest, and in the greatest comfort, incur a greater tax liability. Children under 16 years old on the date of the flight, and in the lowest class of travel, are exempt from APD. This means that no APD will be paid on that passenger by the airline to the UK government. If children under 16 years old are travelling in any other class (such as premium economy) or in business jets, they are not exempt. Children under 2 years old without a seat are exempt from Air Passenger Duty for all classes of travel. Airline operators declare the number of chargeable passengers by destination band and by rate. They do not break down chargeable passengers by age, and therefore this is not information that HMRC collects. The government has published annual statistics and analysis on airline passenger numbers and Air Passenger Duty (APD) receipts in the UK which are administered by HM Revenue and Customs. It is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/air-passenger-duty-bulletin.

What estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of extending the Air Passenger Duty exemption for children under 16 years old to (a) Premium Economy and (b) any other cabin class travel.

Air Passenger Duty (APD) applies to airlines, not individual passengers, and is the principal tax on the aviation sector. It is expected to raise £4.2 billion in 2024-25 and it aims to ensure that airlines make a fair contribution to the public finances, particularly given that tickets are VAT free and aviation fuel incurs no duty. The distance-based band structure ensures that those who travel furthest, and in the greatest comfort, incur a greater tax liability. Children under 16 years old on the date of the flight, and in the lowest class of travel, are exempt from APD. This means that no APD will be paid on that passenger by the airline to the UK government. If children under 16 years old are travelling in any other class (such as premium economy) or in business jets, they are not exempt. Children under 2 years old without a seat are exempt from Air Passenger Duty for all classes of travel. Airline operators declare the number of chargeable passengers by destination band and by rate. They do not break down chargeable passengers by age, and therefore this is not information that HMRC collects. The government has published annual statistics and analysis on airline passenger numbers and Air Passenger Duty (APD) receipts in the UK which are administered by HM Revenue and Customs. It is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/air-passenger-duty-bulletin.