Lord Empey Portrait

Lord Empey

Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer

Became Member: 15th January 2011


2 APPG memberships (as of 24 Jan 2024)
Aerospace, Transatlantic Trade
2 Former APPG memberships
Ireland and the Irish in Britain, Race Equality in Education
Youth Unemployment Committee
28th Jan 2021 - 16th Nov 2021
Food, Poverty, Health and Environment Committee
13th Jun 2019 - 23rd Jun 2020
Bribery Act 2010 Committee
17th May 2018 - 4th Mar 2019
Financial Exclusion Committee
25th May 2016 - 25th Mar 2017
Information Committee (Lords)
8th Jun 2015 - 31st Aug 2016
Extradition Law
12th Jun 2014 - 25th Feb 2015
Personal Service Companies
12th Nov 2013 - 31st Mar 2014
Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Committee
29th May 2012 - 28th Feb 2013


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Lord Empey has voted in 309 divisions, and 8 times against the majority of their Party.

23 Nov 2020 - United Kingdom Internal Market Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Empey voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes vs 1 Ulster Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 319 Noes - 242
20 Oct 2020 - United Kingdom Internal Market Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Empey voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes vs 1 Ulster Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 395 Noes - 169
22 Sep 2020 - Agriculture Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Empey voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes vs 1 Ulster Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 122 Noes - 234
17 Sep 2020 - Agriculture Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Empey voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes vs 1 Ulster Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 280 Noes - 218
15 Jun 2020 - Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 - View Vote Context
Lord Empey voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes vs 1 Ulster Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 112 Noes - 388
28 Apr 2021 - Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2021 - View Vote Context
Lord Empey voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes vs 1 Ulster Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 93 Noes - 418
28 Apr 2021 - Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2021 - View Vote Context
Lord Empey voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes vs 1 Ulster Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 63 Noes - 401
28 Apr 2021 - Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2021 - View Vote Context
Lord Empey voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes vs 1 Ulster Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 70 Noes - 409
View All Lord Empey Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Viscount Younger of Leckie (Conservative)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
(23 debate interactions)
Lord True (Conservative)
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
(13 debate interactions)
Lord Frost (Conservative)
(12 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(27 debate contributions)
Northern Ireland Office
(25 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Agriculture Act 2020
(4,888 words contributed)
United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020
(4,764 words contributed)
Finance Act 2021
(4,203 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Lord Empey's debates

Lords initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Lord Empey, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.


4 Bills introduced by Lord Empey


A Bill to amend the Airports Act 1986.

Lords - 40%

Last Event - Order Of Commitment Discharged : House Of Lords
Friday 29th January 2016

A Bill to amend the Airports Act 1986.

Lords - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading: House Of Lords
Friday 9th November 2012

A bill to amend the Airports Act 1986.

Lords - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading: House Of Lords
Friday 16th March 2012

A bill to provide for the functions exercised by the Northern Ireland Department of Health to be exercised by the Secretary of State in the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive

Lords - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Monday 27th January 2020
(Read Debate)

Lord Empey has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
2 Other Department Questions
16th Jun 2022
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what discussions the House of Lords had with the landlord of the QEII conference centre about the relocation of the House as part of the Restoration and Renewal project; and on what basis such discussions took place.

The freehold title for the QEII Conference Centre is currently held by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (previously the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government). Since 2018 House of Lords officials have been involved in discussions with officials at DLUHC (then MHCLG) regarding potential use of the QEII Conference Centre by the House of Lords as part of the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) programme. This has included exploring the terms of any possible acquisition of the building for the purposes of housing the House of Lords during the R&R programme and seeking to understand the associated costs, risks and liabilities.

This follows the QEII Conference Centre having been identified as the preferred decant location for the House of Lords, in line with the recommendation by the Joint Committee on the Palace of Westminster in 2016; a recommendation which was agreed by the House of Lords Commission in September 2018, subject to further feasibility work being undertaken.

17th May 2022
To ask the Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body how much has been spent to date on the proposed decant of the House of Lords to the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre during the Restoration and Renewal works.

From the creation of the Sponsor Body in April 2020 and the Delivery Authority in May 2020 to the end of March 2022, £10.9 million was spent on developing the plans for the proposed decant of the House of Lords to the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre, including design team and project management fees, business case work and surveys.

This figure does not include costs - which cannot be reliably disaggregated - on work outside of the core House of Lords decant project.

17th Jan 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have paid compensation to (1) individuals who were perpetrators of terrorist activities, and (2) family members of those who were perpetrators of terrorist activities, in the last five years for which figures are available; and if so, (a) how much compensation they have paid in each category, and (b) how many such claims have been lodged seeking settlement.

The Government Legal Department is presently acting on behalf of His Majesty’s Government in seven claims that have been filed in the courts of England and Wales in the last five years, by individuals involved in or accused of terrorist activities seeking compensation. His Majesty’s Government have reached settlement in relation to cases in the Courts of England and Wales with perpetrators of terrorist activities, and family members of such individuals, within the last five years – but the terms of those settlements are subject to strict confidentiality agreements about both the terms of settlement and the amount of compensation paid, if any.

Lord Stewart of Dirleton
Advocate General for Scotland
22nd Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment, if any, they have made of the funding of the activities of All-Party Parliamentary Groups by hostile states.

It is, and always will be, an absolute priority to protect the UK from foreign interference. We know that some states seek to interfere in our democratic institutions and processes. This is unacceptable and the government is taking robust action to safeguard our national security.

The regulation of All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) is a matter for Parliament and in July 2023 the House of Commons approved a new rule that APPGs must not accept the provision of a secretariat by a foreign government, or accept the services of a secretariat funded by a foreign government.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
20th Sep 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce legislation to strengthen Northern Ireland's place within the Union in light of the adoption of the Windsor Framework; and whether any such legislation will affect the operation and implementation of the Windsor Framework.

The Government is committed to ensuring the timely and successful implementation of the Windsor Framework and to seeing the restoration of an Executive in Northern Ireland as soon as possible. We are in regular contact with the Northern Ireland political parties about these matters and how we may best secure both objectives.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
1st Feb 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the territorial extent to the proposed Brexit Freedoms Bill.

Retained EU law applies in the whole of the UK. Accordingly, any legislation that allows for the amendment of retained EU law will need to make the appropriate provision for Northern Ireland.

Any legislation to address REUL is likely to have a UK extent. This is consistent with other Brexit legislation such as the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill and European Union (Future Relationship) Bill.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
1st Feb 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government which provisions of the proposed Brexit Freedoms Bill (1) will, and (2) will not, apply to Northern Ireland.

Retained EU law applies in the whole of the UK. Accordingly, any legislation that allows for the amendment of retained EU law will need to make the appropriate provision for Northern Ireland.

Any legislation to address REUL is likely to have a UK extent. This is consistent with other Brexit legislation such as the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill and European Union (Future Relationship) Bill.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
15th Nov 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of triggering Article 16 on the remainder of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.

Article 16 is a safeguard provision for addressing serious economic, societal and environmental difficulties. It is part of the Northern Ireland Protocol. Triggering it does not affect the standing of the Protocol as a whole.

9th Nov 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent flow of freight vehicles travelling between the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.

Government continues to monitor the flow of freight vehicles travelling between the UK and EU nations, including those travelling between the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain and continental Europe. Landbridge traffic is being monitored for the movements between EU Nations and the Island of Ireland.

Published DfT data can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/road-goods-vehicles-travelling-to-europe-july-2020-to-june-2021.

21st Jul 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many UK veterans are currently resident in Northern Ireland; and how that number is identified.

The UK Government has no current means to identify UK veterans who are resident in Northern Ireland. Due to the sensitivities of the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past, many who served and now reside there do not feel safe disclosing their veteran status, and the question was not included in the 2021 Census in Northern Ireland as it was in England and Wales.

The Office for Veterans’ Affairs is working with the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency on alternative solutions.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
25th Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of consent granted by representatives of the people of Northern Ireland for the implementation of a regulatory border in the Irish Sea.

The Protocol is explicit that it rests on the democratic consent of the people and elected representatives across Northern Ireland. All sides need to be sensitive to the social and political realities, including the reality that any arrangements involving Northern Ireland depend on cross-community confidence if they are to work successfully. We are listening carefully to the concerns of the people of Northern Ireland. Our actions are aimed at restoring that confidence and we have urged the EU to do the same.

25th Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the volume of trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland since the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland entered into force on 1 January.

Goods are moving effectively between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and there are no significant queues at Northern Ireland’s ports. Overall freight flow between Great Britain and Northern Ireland appears to have returned to normal levels. We are continuing to monitor and assess the situation, including any potential change in trade patterns.

6th Jan 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the arrangements contained in the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland constitute a regulatory border in the Irish Sea.

Every part of the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, is an integral part of the Kingdom. As a result of the devolution settlements, there are legal and regulatory differences between the constituent nations. The Northern Ireland Protocol and the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill ensure unfettered access for goods from Northern Ireland to the rest of the Kingdom. The Protocol does make specific provisions in relation to the movement of goods, but it does not constitute a "border". The UK government has made extensive investment and arrangements to facilitate free movement of goods to Northern Ireland, and, working with the devolved administration, will keep under review all necessary actions to ensure that is delivered.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
8th Dec 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to allow the EU to open an office in Northern Ireland; and what kind of presence in Northern Ireland the EU has requested.

As is detailed in the Command Paper published on Gov.uk on 10 October, the arrangements we have reached in principle with the European Commission, are clear that there will be no EU Belfast embassy or mission. Instead, the arrangements we have agreed will enable the EU to exercise their rights under Article 12, including with appropriate access to the information needed to do so, while fully respecting the sovereignty of the United Kingdom.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
27th Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what the role of the Court of Justice of the European Union will be in relation to Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021.

The rules that apply to businesses and citizens in Northern Ireland derive from UK law, including rules given effect by the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The rules on how to interpret rules given effect by retained EU law, which the courts must follow, are set out in section 6 of the EU Withdrawal Act. Section 6 of the 2018 Act also sets out the role of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
26th Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord True on 25 November, (HL10219), to (1) list the subset of rules concerning goods and electricity markets applying as a result of the Northern Ireland Protocol, (2) set out what, if any, consent arrangements were established for these rules to apply in Northern Ireland, and (3) set out what assessment they have made, if any, of the implications of these rules with regard to the European Commission exercising executive authority over Northern Ireland.

The rules applied by the Protocol are outlined in its text and Annexes. Parliament was provided with the assessments made regarding its implications during the passage of the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2020 which ratified the Withdrawal Agreement.

The consent arrangements are outlined in Article 18 of the Protocol and the Declaration of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning the operation of the ‘Democratic consent in Northern Ireland’ provision of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. These arrangements are being provided in domestic law through The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland (Democratic Consent Process) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, which is presently making its way through both Houses.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
11th Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what powers will be exercised by the European Commission in Northern Ireland after the end of the transition period of the UK's departure from the EU; and within what legal framework any such powers will be exercised.

Further to my answer to PQ HL9634, all rules applied in Northern Ireland will be administered by the UK authorities.

As the Government set out in its Command Paper in May, the Northern Ireland Protocol applies a small subset of EU rules concerning goods and electricity markets for so long as the people of Northern Ireland vote to keep such arrangements in place.

Furthermore, in the case of any breach related to the Protocol the UK Government would always activate the appropriate formal dispute settlement mechanisms established under the Protocol in order to seek an appropriate solution.

Otherwise, the rules that apply to businesses and citizens in Northern Ireland derive from UK law, including rules given effect by EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The rules on how to interpret rules given effect by retained EU law, which the courts must follow, are set out in section 6 of the EU Withdrawal Act. The 2018 Act also provides for the dedicated mechanism, which also protects citizens in NI from any diminution of their human rights as a result of the UK's withdrawal from the EU.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
11th Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government to which courts any citizen or business in Northern Ireland may apply for relief if they disagree with a European Commission decision in Northern Ireland after the end of the transition period for the UK's departure from the EU; and whether the relevant courts will refer to UK or EU law.

Further to my answer to PQ HL9634, all rules applied in Northern Ireland will be administered by the UK authorities.

As the Government set out in its Command Paper in May, the Northern Ireland Protocol applies a small subset of EU rules concerning goods and electricity markets for so long as the people of Northern Ireland vote to keep such arrangements in place.

Furthermore, in the case of any breach related to the Protocol the UK Government would always activate the appropriate formal dispute settlement mechanisms established under the Protocol in order to seek an appropriate solution.

Otherwise, the rules that apply to businesses and citizens in Northern Ireland derive from UK law, including rules given effect by EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The rules on how to interpret rules given effect by retained EU law, which the courts must follow, are set out in section 6 of the EU Withdrawal Act. The 2018 Act also provides for the dedicated mechanism, which also protects citizens in NI from any diminution of their human rights as a result of the UK's withdrawal from the EU.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
27th Oct 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any EU officials will be involved in inspecting (1) agricultural produce, (2) foods, or (3) other goods, entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain after 31 December.

Further to Article 12(1) of the Northern Ireland Protocol, the authorities of the United Kingdom are responsible for implementing and applying the provisions of Union law made applicable by the Protocol. This includes the administering of checks on agri-food moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, from 1 January 2021.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
8th Oct 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to appoint a 'territorial minister' to answer for the Government in the House of Lords on matters relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Viscount Younger of Leckie speaks for the Northern Ireland Office and the Scotland Office, and Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist speaks for the Wales Office.

A full list of Government Ministers and Lords Spokespersons can be found here - https://www.lordswhips.org.uk/government-spokespersons

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
8th Sep 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what body will (1) determine, and (2) enforce, EU state aid rules in Northern Ireland after the end of the transition period.

The Northern Ireland Protocol sets out that EU state aid rules will apply in certain cases where relevant to trade between Northern Ireland and the EU. This does not mean that state aid rules will apply to Northern Ireland as they do today. State aid provisions apply only to trade ‘subject to the Protocol’. The Protocol is limited in scope to the movement of goods and wholesale electricity markets. Where trade is subject to the Protocol, the supervision and enforcement procedures it sets out will apply, as will the safety net provided by the UK Internal Market Bill.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
8th Sep 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the circumstances in which a company operating in both Great Britain and Northern Ireland would be subject to EU state aid rules in Northern Ireland but not subject to such rules in Great Britain.

The Northern Ireland Protocol sets out that EU state aid rules will apply in certain cases where relevant to trade between Northern Ireland and the EU. This does not mean that state aid rules will apply to Northern Ireland as they do today. State aid provisions apply only to trade ‘subject to the Protocol’. The Protocol is limited in scope to the movement of goods and wholesale electricity markets. Where trade is subject to the Protocol, the supervision and enforcement procedures it sets out will apply, as will the safety net provided by the UK Internal Market Bill.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
29th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to discuss the requirement for export declarations on goods moving between Northern Ireland and Great Britain as part of negotiations on the future UK–EU relationship.

As set out in the Command Paper ‘The UK’s approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol’, we will ensure unfettered access for Northern Ireland goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, and enshrine this in legislation by the end of the year. The document set out our approach, including that we will not require exit summary declarations on those movements.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
24th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the legal status of the common travel area between the UK, the Crown Dependencies and Ireland.

The Common Travel Area (CTA) is an arrangement between the UK, the Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey, and Ireland. It is underpinned by domestic law in each jurisdiction.

Both the UK and Irish Governments have committed to taking all necessary measures to ensure that the Common Travel Area and its associated rights and privileges are protected and maintained, including entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 8 May 2019. We are not aware of any significant disputes that have arisen between the UK Government and Ireland over the operation of the Common Travel Area, nor of cases when a UK citizen has taken legal action against the UK Government over the operation of the Common Travel Area.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
24th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what mechanism exists to resolve disputes between the UK Government and the government of Ireland over the operation of the common travel area.

The Common Travel Area (CTA) is an arrangement between the UK, the Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey, and Ireland. It is underpinned by domestic law in each jurisdiction.

Both the UK and Irish Governments have committed to taking all necessary measures to ensure that the Common Travel Area and its associated rights and privileges are protected and maintained, including entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 8 May 2019. We are not aware of any significant disputes that have arisen between the UK Government and Ireland over the operation of the Common Travel Area, nor of cases when a UK citizen has taken legal action against the UK Government over the operation of the Common Travel Area.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
24th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what, if any, disputes have arisen between the UK Government and the government of Ireland over the operation of the common travel area.

The Common Travel Area (CTA) is an arrangement between the UK, the Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey, and Ireland. It is underpinned by domestic law in each jurisdiction.

Both the UK and Irish Governments have committed to taking all necessary measures to ensure that the Common Travel Area and its associated rights and privileges are protected and maintained, including entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 8 May 2019. We are not aware of any significant disputes that have arisen between the UK Government and Ireland over the operation of the Common Travel Area, nor of cases when a UK citizen has taken legal action against the UK Government over the operation of the Common Travel Area.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
24th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether a UK citizen has ever taken legal action against the UK Government over the operation of the common travel area.

The Common Travel Area (CTA) is an arrangement between the UK, the Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey, and Ireland. It is underpinned by domestic law in each jurisdiction.

Both the UK and Irish Governments have committed to taking all necessary measures to ensure that the Common Travel Area and its associated rights and privileges are protected and maintained, including entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 8 May 2019. We are not aware of any significant disputes that have arisen between the UK Government and Ireland over the operation of the Common Travel Area, nor of cases when a UK citizen has taken legal action against the UK Government over the operation of the Common Travel Area.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
20th May 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what sanctions they will apply to persons who breach customs regulations at border control posts in Northern Ireland after 1 January 2021.

The New Decade, New Approach agreement recognised the need to implement the Northern Ireland Protocol in a way that works for the restored Executive and Northern Ireland’s businesses. The Protocol text itself is explicit that its implementation “should impact as little as possible on the everyday life of communities”.

We are committed to implementing the Protocol in a manner that best serves the needs of the people and businesses in Northern Ireland. This includes continuing to tackle serious and organised crime, including in respect of breaches of applicable customs rules, from January 2021 as we are today.

We also note, as underlined in ‘The UK’s Approach to implementing the NI Protocol’, that we are committed to using the latest technology, risk and compliance techniques as part of our efforts. The Government will work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive and businesses on this.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
20th May 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government which customs regulations will be enforced at border control posts in Northern Ireland after 1 January 2021.

The Northern Ireland Protocol guarantees the place of Northern Ireland within the UK customs territory and internal market, upholding the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. The Protocol will prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland, while explicitly recognising Northern Ireland’s integral place in the UK. Further details on the Government’s approach to the Protocol are outlined in our Command Paper, The UK's Approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
20th May 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government which court would determine the outcome of a dispute between Customs Officers and a person moving goods via a Border Control Post in Northern Ireland.

Any such disputes would be a matter for UK authorities and UK courts.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
18th May 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to establish customs posts at ports and airports in Northern Ireland; and if so, (1) where those posts will be located, and (2) what will be the function and purpose of those posts.

On 20 May 2020 the UK Government set out our approach in the Command Paper ‘The UK’s Approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol’ confirming there will be no new physical customs infrastructure in Northern Ireland (or in Great Britain ports facing Northern Ireland). The limited additional processes required by the Protocol should be implemented in a way that takes account of all available flexibilities, and respects Northern Ireland’s place in the UK’s customs territory.

As ministers set out, we will expand some existing entry points for agrifood goods to provide for proportionate additional controls, in locations where these already take place such as Larne and Belfast. We will continue to work closely with the NI Executive to take that work forward.



Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
14th May 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what documentation businesses will have to provide to send goods from Northern Ireland to Great Britain after 1 January 2021.

The Protocol makes clear that Northern Ireland is and remains part of the UK’s customs territory and allows the UK to ensure unfettered market access for goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.

The Government has set out its approach clearly to implementing unfettered access in the Northern Ireland Protocol, first in the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ power-sharing deal, and last week in the Command Paper, ‘ The UK’s Approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol’. Our publication makes clear that we will not require exit declarations or any other regulatory processes or checks as these goods enter the rest of the UK from NI. We committed to legislate to guarantee unfettered access for NI businesses to the whole of the UK internal market, and ensure that this legislation is in force for 1 January 2021.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
21st Apr 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many COVID-19 related deaths in the UK resulted from a secondary bacterial infection leading to sepsis.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

Dear Lord Empey,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking how many COVID-19 related deaths in the UK resulted from a secondary bacterial infection leading to sepsis (HL3127).

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for publishing weekly numbers of deaths registered in England and Wales. The most recent figures published are for deaths registered in 2018[1], however, we do publish provisional weekly deaths registrations which are currently published for deaths registered up to 10 April 2020[2]. National Records Scotland (NRS) and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) are responsible for publishing the number of deaths registered in Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively.

Cause of death is defined using the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th edition (ICD-10). Deaths involving COVID-19 are identified by the ICD-10 codes U07.1 and U07.2 and deaths involving sepsis are identified by the ICD-10 codes A40 and A41. Sepsis is likely to be caused by a bacterial infection, therefore we have assumed that all deaths involving sepsis would involve a bacterial infection and have therefore not searched for this separately.

Table 1 below shows the number of deaths occurring in March 2020 and registered by 10 April 2020 where the death involved both COVID-19 and sepsis, where COVID-19 caused the sepsis. The data covers deaths registered in Great Britain, as data for Northern Ireland is not yet fully coded.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Sir Ian Diamond

Table 1: Number of deaths occurring in March 2020 involving COVID-19 and sepsis, where COVID-19 caused the sepsis, Great Britain[3][4]

Geography

Number of deaths

Great Britain

26

Source: Office for National Statistics, National Records Scotland

[1]https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/datasets/deathsregisteredinenglandandwalesseriesdrreferencetables

[2]https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsregisteredweeklyinenglandandwalesprovisional/weekending10april2020

[3]Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes U07.1, U07.2, A40 and A41.

[4]Figures are based on deaths occurring in March 2020, registered up until 10 April 2020

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
25th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what criteria they use to determine whether another nation state (1) is conducting, or (2) is guilty of, an act of hostility towards the UK.

Hostile activity can take many forms, including disinformation, cyber attacks and other hybrid methods. We know that certain states routinely use these as foreign policy tools.

It is absolutely unacceptable for any foreign government to seek to undermine the UK’s national security, the integrity of our democracy, public safety, reputation or economic prosperity. The government remains committed to securing the UK against all forms of hostile activity orchestrated by foreign states.

HM Government has acted to protect the UK and respond to the threat, including taking steps as part of the Defending Democracy programme, and through the creation of the National Cyber Security Centre and Joint State Threats Assessment Team. This approach allows us to identify, assess and, where necessary, respond to hostile activity; as can be seen from HM Government's response to the Salisbury novichok poisoning and the public attribution of the WannaCry, NotPetya and Cloudhopper cyber incidents.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
19th Dec 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of regulatory frameworks for electricity and gas throughout the UK.

The Government’s Smarter Regulation programme aims to reform existing regulations to minimise regulatory burden, ensure regulations are contemporary and forward looking, and make use of alternatives to regulation wherever beneficial, whilst ensuring a well-functioning regulatory landscape. Alongside this, the Government’s retail energy reform programme aims to ensure consumers receive good service, fair prices, that energy companies invest in innovative products and services, and consumer choice contributes towards a lowest-cost flexible energy system. In addition, the ongoing Review of Electricity Market Arrangements is conducting a widescale assessment of the current regulatory arrangements for the wholesale electricity market.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
19th Dec 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the electricity and gas tariffs for both residential and business customers throughout the UK; and whether these respective tariffs are contributing to a lack of competitiveness of the UK against its major international competitors.

Gas prices for UK industrial users are among the cheapest in Europe. However, the UK’s industrial electricity prices are higher than those of comparable countries because the UK has spread electricity infrastructure costs more evenly between industry and households compared to other European countries.

Some energy and trade intensive industries that are particularly exposed receive energy price support.

For household customers, the price cap ensures that default tariffs in GB reflect the reasonable costs of supply.

Government also provided unprecedented levels of support to households and businesses across the UK last winter in response to global energy price spikes.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
28th Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Camrose on 28 September (HL10228), how many of the 97 voucher project applications came from Northern Ireland.

The number of voucher project applications awaiting approval is dynamic and changes regularly. As of 30 November 2023, there are eight outstanding voucher project applications for Northern Ireland pending a decision.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
28th Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Camrose on 27 September (HL10227), when the temporary pause to the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme was introduced; when the work to launch the new procurements will be completed; and for what reason they closed the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme while the procurements were taking place.

The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme was paused in Northern Ireland on 6 July 2023. The voucher scheme is paused ahead of planned procurements across an area, to enable the intervention area to be defined and to avoid the doubling up of public subsidy for eligible premises.

Procurements in Northern Ireland are currently due to launch in the first half of 2024, with the aim to award a contract to the successful supplier by Autumn 2024.

Where the scope of voucher projects will not impact on procurement planning, these may be approved and can continue to be delivered throughout the voucher pause period.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
18th Sep 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government whether there is a delay in issuing vouchers in Northern Ireland under the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme for rural broadband connectivity.

As part of Project Gigabit, we are planning to launch procurements in Northern Ireland, to bring gigabit-capable broadband to premises that will not be reached by suppliers’ commercial plans.

Work is under way to identify the premises requiring support, and a temporary pause to the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme for projects in Northern Ireland was initiated to enable the intervention area to be defined.

Building Digital UK (BDUK) is working closely with all active suppliers registered on the voucher scheme to identify areas where a voucher-funded project has a good likelihood of delivering gigabit coverage faster than the procurement route and represents good value for money. These areas are designated as voucher priority areas, meaning that suppliers are able to continue to build voucher-funded projects in these areas throughout procurement.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
18th Sep 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the breakdown by constituency of the number of applications to the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme that are still outstanding.

Over 120,000 vouchers have been issued so far under the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme and its previous iterations. To date, over 100,000 of these vouchers have been used to connect premises to gigabit-capable broadband.

Building Digital UK (BDUK) is working closely with all active suppliers registered on the scheme to identify areas and approve projects in parts of the UK where a voucher-funded project has a good likelihood of delivering gigabit coverage faster than the procurement approach and represents good value for money. There are currently only 97 voucher project applications pending a decision. This data is not currently broken down at a constituency level.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
13th Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the current operation of the UK energy market; and what plans they have, if any, to propose alternatives to the current operation.

The Government has launched the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA), following a commitment in the British Energy Security Strategy. The consultation closed on 10th October. REMA is a major review into Britain’s electricity market design, and is considering a broad range of reforms, from changes to existing arrangements that can be delivered from the mid-2020s, to enduring transformational reforms.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
10th Oct 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Energy Bill Support Scheme will be rolled out in Northern Ireland in November this year.

Households in Northern Ireland will receive a £400 discount on their energy bills through the Northern Ireland Energy Bills Support Scheme (NI EBSS) this winter.

This offers the same level of support as households in Great Britain are receiving under the Energy Bill Support Scheme (EBSS). The Government is working at pace to deliver a solution which accounts for the Northern Ireland market and to provide the support as soon as possible this winter.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
30th Jun 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they provide to encourage (1) business, (2) industry, and (3) agriculture, to (a) participate in, and (b) install, alternative forms of energy generation such as wind, solar, or wood pellets.

The Government supports large-scale renewable generation through the Contracts for Difference Scheme.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is the Government scheme that ensures businesses, industry and agriculture can have a route to market for exported generation from small scale and eligible technologies such as solar or wind.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides upfront grants of £5,000 towards the installation of biomass boilers with an installation capacity up to 45kWth.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
21st Jun 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many doses of the (1) Pfizer, and (2) Moderna, vaccines they have purchased for children under the age of five; and when such vaccines will be made available to those children.

There are no Covid-19 vaccines for under 5s currently approved for use in the UK, and as such we have not specifically procured vaccines for this cohort. The Government will continue monitoring developments and seek the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation going forward.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
18th Mar 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review employment law following the decision of P&O Ferries to dismiss its employees via a pre-recorded video.

The Government wrote to the Insolvency Service on 23 March asking it to undertake an urgent and thorough enquiry into the recent actions of P&O Ferries, to determine whether the law has been complied with and consider prompt and appropriate action where it has not.

The Insolvency Service confirmed on 01 April that following its enquiries it has initiated both formal and civil investigations into the circumstances surrounding the redundancies made by P&O Ferries.

You will appreciate that while these investigations are being progressed it would not be appropriate to make further comment but the Insolvency Service will provide an update in due course.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
10th Mar 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the decision to ban the import of Russian oil into the UK, what financial protection is available to UK companies who chartered Russian oil tankers to deliver fuel to the UK.

Russian ships have been banned from UK ports, following UK sanctions against Russia. The ban includes any vessels owned or operated by anyone connected to Russia.

The UK will also stop importing Russian oil by the end of this year, building on the Government’s package of international economic sanctions.

The Government is confident that this can be achieved over the course of the year, providing enough time for companies to adjust while ensuring consumers are protected. The Government is already providing support worth around £21 billion during this year, and next, to help people with the cost of living and will continue to monitor the economic impact of the conflict and keep its approach under review.

The Department for International Trade has expanded its Export Support Service (ESS) to act as a single point of enquiry for businesses and traders with questions relating to the situation in Ukraine and Russia. Any business that has question about trading with Ukraine or Russia can visit the GOV.UK website to contact the export support team, or call our helpline using the number 0300 303 8955.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
17th Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of the financial support they provided to the aerospace sector during the COVID-19 pandemic was allocated to aerospace manufacturers in the UK.

The Government has put in place substantial cross-economy support measures to help the UK economy through this pandemic.

Due to the nature of these support measures, it is not possible to set out in full the proportion provided to the aerospace sector. However, we are able to confirm that UK aerospace manufacturers and their aviation customers, over the next 3 years, will benefit from £8 billion in export guarantees and have utilised up to £2.6 billion in Covid Corporate Financing Facility support. The Aerospace sector will also continue to be supported by the £150 million per annum Aerospace Technology Institute research and development programme and the £125 million Future Flight research and development programme.

These figures do not include other measures such as the Job Retention Scheme which, we know, the aerospace sector will also have benefited from.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
21st Apr 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made loan guarantees available to companies operating in the UK but who are registered offshore during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SMEs which are registered abroad are eligible to apply for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), provided the SME is trading in the UK, not just selling into the UK, has the core of its business operations in the UK, and the CBILS Facility is deployed to support business activity in the UK.

The turnover threshold applies to global turnover of the SME or the consolidated group where that applies, but the CBILS scheme can only be used to support UK-based activity.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)