To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the treatment of nuclear test veterans in the United States and France; and what lessons they have learned from comparisons with those countries’ approaches to the provision of compensation for veterans affected by nuclear testing and their descendants.

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the treatment of nuclear test veterans in the United States and France; and what lessons they have learned from comparisons with those countries’ approaches to the provision of compensation for veterans affected by nuclear testing and their descendants.

To ask The Leader of the House, further to the reply by Baroness Smith of Basildon on 5 February (HL Deb col 1733), whether, and if so when, she expects to place in the Library of the House a copy of a letter regarding Lord Mandelson, Global Counsel, and the US...

To ask The Leader of the House, further to the reply by Baroness Smith of Basildon on 5 February (HL Deb col 1733), whether, and if so when, she expects to place in the Library of the House a copy of a letter regarding Lord Mandelson, Global Counsel, and the US...

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that US officials removed a US diplomat who was accused of possessing indecent images of children from UK soil in August without informing UK authorities.

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that US officials removed a US diplomat who was accused of possessing indecent images of children from UK soil in August without informing UK authorities.

The United States embassy has confirmed that it has recalled a member of staff to the United States due to an investigation in the United States. The Metropolitan Police was notified on 25 August and remains in contact with US law enforcement. It is inappropriate for me to comment further during a live investigation, but I expect all diplomats in the United Kingdom to respect our laws, and any breach is treated seriously.

The United States embassy has confirmed that it has recalled a member of staff to the United States due to an investigation in the United States. The Metropolitan Police was notified on 25 August and remains in contact with US law enforcement. It is inappropriate for me to comment further during a live investigation, but I expect all diplomats in the United Kingdom to respect our laws, and any breach is treated seriously.

I am very grateful to the Minister for his last sentence. Unfortunately, it is exactly the same as the Government said in 2019 when Anne Sacoolas killed Harry Dunn in a road collision and the US authorities spirited her out of the country, saying that she had diplomatic immunity. Can the Minister explain what the Government are doing to ensure that the USA Government abide by the rules that the USA insists other countries have to follow when crimes are committed by foreign diplomats there? Have the US authorities agreed that the Met Police can now interview the suspect and investigate any other evidence of this crime?

I am very grateful to the Minister for his last sentence. Unfortunately, it is exactly the same as the Government said in 2019 when Anne Sacoolas killed Harry Dunn in a road collision and the US authorities spirited her out of the country, saying that she had diplomatic immunity. Can the Minister explain what the Government are doing to ensure that the USA Government abide by the rules that the USA insists other countries have to follow when crimes are committed by foreign diplomats there? Have the US authorities agreed that the Met Police can now interview the suspect and investigate any other evidence of this crime?

With respect to the noble Baroness, I would not conflate the two cases; there are different issues at hand. As I have said, the United States has recalled the individual back to the United States, informed the Metropolitan Police, which is investigating and co-operating on whether there are issues that it needs to investigate and examine. There is a protocol between the United States and others. In relation to the Harry Dunn case, may I just say that that that was under the last Government? There was an investigation. There have been 12 recommendations made. We intend to accept all those recommendations. We are looking as to how we can update the family of Harry Dunn, which we will do by the end of this year. I assure the noble Baroness that we take these matters seriously and the Metropolitan Police is examining and discussing with the embassy what the circumstances were.

With respect to the noble Baroness, I would not conflate the two cases; there are different issues at hand. As I have said, the United States has recalled the individual back to the United States, informed the Metropolitan Police, which is investigating and co-operating on whether there are issues that it needs to investigate and examine. There is a protocol between the United States and others. In relation to the Harry Dunn case, may I just say that that that was under the last Government? There was an investigation. There have been 12 recommendations made. We intend to accept all those recommendations. We are looking as to how we can update the family of Harry Dunn, which we will do by the end of this year. I assure the noble Baroness that we take these matters seriously and the Metropolitan Police is examining and discussing with the embassy what the circumstances were.

My Lords, further to what the Minister said about the review which was carried out by Dame Anne Owers, she concluded that the FCO missed multiple opportunities to influence the US Government and failed to treat that case as a priority. HMG—this HMG, not the last one—said that lessons will be learned from that review and from the Sacoolas case and applied to future cases, so with great respect to the Minister, the Sacoolas case is highly relevant.

My Lords, further to what the Minister said about the review which was carried out by Dame Anne Owers, she concluded that the FCO missed multiple opportunities to influence the US Government and failed to treat that case as a priority. HMG—this HMG, not the last one—said that lessons will be learned from that review and from the Sacoolas case and applied to future cases, so with great respect to the Minister, the Sacoolas case is highly relevant.

With due respect to the noble Lord, the details of the reasons why the individual was recalled to the United States are still under discussion. The Metropolitan Police was informed that that there was a US investigation relating to indecent images of children, but the offences are now being investigated and the individual has been recalled to the United States. The Metropolitan Police is examining and co-operating and discussing with the US authorities. I also say to the noble Lord that, on the previous case he mentioned, this Government looked at the lessons learned, have accepted all 12 recommendations, will implement all 12 recommendations and will write to the family by the end of this year on progress on that implementation.

With due respect to the noble Lord, the details of the reasons why the individual was recalled to the United States are still under discussion. The Metropolitan Police was informed that that there was a US investigation relating to indecent images of children, but the offences are now being investigated and the individual has been recalled to the United States. The Metropolitan Police is examining and co-operating and discussing with the US authorities. I also say to the noble Lord that, on the previous case he mentioned, this Government looked at the lessons learned, have accepted all 12 recommendations, will implement all 12 recommendations and will write to the family by the end of this year on progress on that implementation.

My Lords, it has been reported that the Metropolitan Police was informed by American authorities only after they had removed the diplomat from British soil. Can the Minister tell the House exactly when the Government were made aware of the allegations, when they were informed of the diplomat’s removal and whether that sequence of events breached any protocol governing co-operation between British and American authorities on serious criminal allegations?

My Lords, it has been reported that the Metropolitan Police was informed by American authorities only after they had removed the diplomat from British soil. Can the Minister tell the House exactly when the Government were made aware of the allegations, when they were informed of the diplomat’s removal and whether that sequence of events breached any protocol governing co-operation between British and American authorities on serious criminal allegations?

As I have said to the House already, the Metropolitan Police was informed by the US authorities on 25 August of a US investigation relating to indecent images of children. As a result of the investigation, a member of US embassy personnel who was at that point based in London was recalled to the United States, where the investigation is focused. Senior officials, and indeed Ministers—in this case, a Minister in the Foreign Office—have discussed the case with senior diplomats in the US embassy to ensure that maximum co-operation occurs with UK law enforcement. Again, the Metropolitan Police is in contact with US law enforcement partners as investigations continue. The important point I would make to the noble Lord is that the US investigation relating to indecent images of children is ongoing in the United States, and that is the key point to this item before the House today.

As I have said to the House already, the Metropolitan Police was informed by the US authorities on 25 August of a US investigation relating to indecent images of children. As a result of the investigation, a member of US embassy personnel who was at that point based in London was recalled to the United States, where the investigation is focused. Senior officials, and indeed Ministers—in this case, a Minister in the Foreign Office—have discussed the case with senior diplomats in the US embassy to ensure that maximum co-operation occurs with UK law enforcement. Again, the Metropolitan Police is in contact with US law enforcement partners as investigations continue. The important point I would make to the noble Lord is that the US investigation relating to indecent images of children is ongoing in the United States, and that is the key point to this item before the House today.

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide funding or technical assistance through the UK’s international development programmes for post-conflict environmental remediation, toxic clearance, and mine or unexploded ordnance clearance in regions affected by the conflict between US and Iranian forces.

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide funding or technical assistance through the UK’s international development programmes for post-conflict environmental remediation, toxic clearance, and mine or unexploded ordnance clearance in regions affected by the conflict between US and Iranian forces.

My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and President of the Board of Trade (Jonathan Reynolds MP) has today made the following statement.

On 22 July 2026, the UK’s Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) concluded a subsidy investigation on imports of US hydrotreated vegetable oil...

My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and President of the Board of Trade (Jonathan Reynolds MP) has today made the following statement.

On 22 July 2026, the UK’s Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) concluded a subsidy investigation on imports of US hydrotreated vegetable oil...

To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of global carbon emissions are created by (1) China, (2) the United States, (3) the EU, and (4) the UK.

To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of global carbon emissions are created by (1) China, (2) the United States, (3) the EU, and (4) the UK.

That is a very specialist question. On my first outing on data at this particular Dispatch Box, I would like to say to the noble Lord that I would be more than happy to write to him with the details.

That is a very specialist question. On my first outing on data at this particular Dispatch Box, I would like to say to the noble Lord that I would be more than happy to write to him with the details.

My Lords, what assessment has been made of the security risks associated with the use of US tech and digital suppliers, particularly given that the current US regime is focusing on protecting its technology from external regulation?

My Lords, what assessment has been made of the security risks associated with the use of US tech and digital suppliers, particularly given that the current US regime is focusing on protecting its technology from external regulation?

Risks linked to technology suppliers are managed through established security and resilience processes. Decisions in these areas are informed by evidence on security, reliability and long-term resilience. The Government seek to balance the benefits of secure international data flows with our high standards of personal data protection. We continue to monitor developments relevant to the US adequacy decision and to engage with international partners to ensure that our standards continue to be met.

Risks linked to technology suppliers are managed through established security and resilience processes. Decisions in these areas are informed by evidence on security, reliability and long-term resilience. The Government seek to balance the benefits of secure international data flows with our high standards of personal data protection. We continue to monitor developments relevant to the US adequacy decision and to engage with international partners to ensure that our standards continue to be met.

My Lords, I have long been concerned about the internet of things, especially the internet of things that we tend to buy on eBay or Temu or one of those predominantly Chinese importation agents. How can we be sure that there are not data flows going on, particularly with the firmware updates that are regular with many internet of things items? Do the Government have any strategy

to look at this? I can only imagine that it is down to local councils to manage importation of goods at source—and I would hazard a guess that it is perhaps beyond them.

My Lords, I have long been concerned about the internet of things, especially the internet of things that we tend to buy on eBay or Temu or one of those predominantly Chinese importation agents. How can we be sure that there are not data flows going on, particularly with the firmware updates that are regular with many internet of things items? Do the Government have any strategy

to look at this? I can only imagine that it is down to local councils to manage importation of goods at source—and I would hazard a guess that it is perhaps beyond them.

DCMS aims to facilitate the flow of data to places that have high data protection standards, and will continue to monitor the threats to UK personal data. On the matter of other jurisdictions, including China, in determining where UK data can flow, we consider the risk to UK data subjects rather than jurisdiction.

DCMS aims to facilitate the flow of data to places that have high data protection standards, and will continue to monitor the threats to UK personal data. On the matter of other jurisdictions, including China, in determining where UK data can flow, we consider the risk to UK data subjects rather than jurisdiction.

To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to monitor the security and use of UK citizens’ data under agreements with third countries, including the Data Protection (Adequacy) (United States of America) Regulations 2023.

To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to monitor the security and use of UK citizens’ data under agreements with third countries, including the Data Protection (Adequacy) (United States of America) Regulations 2023.

The DCMS Secretary of State is required to monitor all jurisdictions with UK adequacy decisions, including the US, to ensure that all UK personal data transferred abroad continues to be protected to the UK’s high standards. DCMS works closely with our international counterparts and with UK departments to understand the implications of developments relating to our adequacy decisions for UK data subjects.

The DCMS Secretary of State is required to monitor all jurisdictions with UK adequacy decisions, including the US, to ensure that all UK personal data transferred abroad continues to be protected to the UK’s high standards. DCMS works closely with our international counterparts and with UK departments to understand the implications of developments relating to our adequacy decisions for UK data subjects.