Asked by: Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many of the sub-postmasters’ convictions secured by the Crown Prosecution Service had an input from the Department of Work and Pensions.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the competitive landscape of the UK's postal and parcel delivery market (1) remains fair, and (2) does not lead to monopolistic practices post-takeover.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Ofcom’s duties, as the independent regulator for postal services, include furthering the interests of citizens and consumers, where appropriate by promoting competition.
Ofcom’s regulatory framework supports competition by imposing minimal intervention in competitive areas of the postal market, for example, in relation to parcel services. Ofcom also requires Royal Mail, as the designated universal service provider, to allow access to its network for the provision of certain bulk letter and large letter services and impose a number of safeguards to protect postal operators reliant on this access.
Asked by: Lord Mott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the removal of tax-free shopping for international visitors, what steps they are taking to support affected small and medium-sized enterprises in regional economies; and what assessment they have made of the impact on regional economies and their wider supply chains.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what, if any, representations they have made in relation to the International Court of Justice case relating to the right to take industrial action under the International Labour Organization’s Convention 87.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the right to take industrial action in the UK, as set out by Convention 87 of the International Labour Organization, is protected.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions Ministers have had with (1) Tata Steel, (2) the Welsh Government, and (3) companies in the nuclear energy sector, concerning the possibility of constructing a small nuclear reactor at Port Talbot to provide energy for the manufacture of steel.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The construction of a small nuclear reactor at Port Talbot to provide energy for the manufacture of steel has not been discussed as part of Tata Steel's plans for the construction of an Electric Arc Furnace at the site. The UK Government does not have a role in Tata Steel's energy purchasing arrangements, and the energy sources that Tata will choose to use are a commercial decision for them.
The Alternative Routes to Market for New Nuclear Projects consultation explored potential wider roles of nuclear energy beyond electricity generation, including large scale industrial applications. The consultation responses are now being analysed and will help shape future policy.
Asked by: Baroness Kennedy of Cradley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their latest assessment of car production in the UK and its contribution to the economy.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders data shows 905,117 cars were produced in the UK in 2023, a 16.8% increase on 2022. It is positive to see that in January to March 2024 the UK produced 222,371 cars, 1.1% more than the same period in 2023.
The automotive sector directly supports 152,000 jobs and contributes £19.4 billion in gross value added to our economy (from a turnover of £85 billion). The Government continues to support the automotive sector, including through the Automotive Council.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to implement strategies to mitigate the risks of labour shortages in the supply chain for infrastructure projects.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government works with the construction sector, through the Construction Skills Delivery Group, to identify and plan to meet future skills needs in the sector. We also work with the industry to support the development and adoption of digital and industrialised construction techniques, as well as robotics and autonomous systems, which will reduce the labour intensity of the sector.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with Harland and Wolff on their refinancing plans; and what is the current status of their Export Development Guarantee application.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
I am unable to comment on ongoing transactions for reasons of commercial sensitivity.
Asked by: Lord Rogan (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they are having with Harland and Wolff to provide the company with a UK Export Finance Guarantee; and when they expect a final decision to be made.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
I am unable to comment on ongoing transactions for reasons of commercial sensitivity.