Lord Leong (Lab)
I thank my noble friend for that question. The appointment of my noble friend Lord Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the US shows how seriously we take our relationship with the US and the incoming President’s team. My noble friend Lord Mandelson has extensive foreign and economic policy expertise, particularly in the crucial issue of trade, with strong business links and experience at the highest level of government.
Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con)
Can the Minister say who from this House or the other place is representing His Majesty’s Government at President Trump’s inauguration, and whether they will be having high-level conversations about trade and other matters with the new Administration?
Lord Leong (Lab)
I thank the noble Lord for that point. Our ambassador in the US will be representing the Government.