Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether any diesel fuel for sale in the United Kingdom is derived from crude oil produced in Russia.

Answered by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK has taken strong action to limit energy revenues to the Kremlin. We have recently announced a ban on imports of oil products, including diesel fuel, which are refined in third countries from Russian-origin crude oil.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government on what conditions they would agree to the Northern Ireland Executive introducing a different rate of corporation tax to the rest of the UK.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Stormont House Agreement between the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive agreed, in principle, for the power to set the rate of Corporation Tax in Northern Ireland on certain trading profits to be devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

It was agreed that the Executive would need to formally request the power to change the Corporation Tax rate in Northern Ireland and to demonstrate that its finances were on a sustainable footing, and that the Executive’s block grant would need to be adjusted to reflect the Corporation Tax revenues foregone if the devolved power were exercised.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether UK-based insurers are insuring oil or gas tankers that transport Russian fossil fuel products.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

UK based insurers are permitted to provide insurance services to vessels transporting Russian origin oil or oil products if those products are shipped below the relevant price cap and the insurers comply with the conditions of the Oil Price Cap general licence. More information on the Maritime Services Ban and Oil Price Cap general licence can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/russian-oil-services-ban.

In January 2023 the UK prohibited all imports of Russian liquefied natural gas into the UK and provision of services which facilitate that import such as insurance. UK insurers are permitted to provide coverage to vessels transporting Russian gas between Russia and third countries. HMG is aware of UK based insurers who are currently involved in this trade.

These measures are restricting Russia’s funding for Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine; sanctions have deprived Russia of $450 billion in revenue, approximately four years of current Russian military spending.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the 'one in, one out' scheme agreed with the government of France in deterring asylum seekers from entering the United Kingdom in small boats.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The UK-France Treaty on the Prevention of Dangerous Journeys is a pilot scheme, and evaluation is a crucial part of its success. We will continuously monitor and evaluate the pilot as it progresses, with a full evaluation to be completed at the end of the pilot period.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to prepare businesses in the United Kingdom for the introduction of the new EU Customs Code on 1 January 2026.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

On 17 May 2023, the European Commission proposed a revision of the Union Customs Code. The published proposal foresees implementation of some elements from 2028 and is still subject to EU internal procedures; therefore, we cannot comment on the final proposal. However, we are following these suggested reforms closely, and continue to engage with the EU and business, particularly on potential impacts for UK businesses.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to reports that a former client of the Attorney General, Mahdi Al Harati, is bringing legal proceeding against them, what steps they have taken to avoid any conflicts of interest arising in this case.

Answered by Lord Hermer - Attorney General

It is an important legal principle, as confirmed by the Bar Council, that “barristers do not choose their clients, nor do they associate themselves with their clients’ opinions or behaviour by virtue of representing them”.

Law Officers, by their experience and professional nature have an extensive legal background and may have previously been involved in a wide number of past cases. That is why there is a robust system for considering and managing any conflicts that may arise, in line with the professional obligations of lawyers.

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has an established and rigorous process for identifying and dealing with conflicts, and potential conflicts, that arise from the Law Officers’ past practice. That check will necessarily include consideration of matters in which a Law Officer was instructed before taking up their current role. That process sits against the backdrop of every lawyer’s professional obligation to be alert to, and actively manage, any situation that might give rise to a potential or actual conflict.

This rigorous process for identifying and managing conflicts sits alongside the system relating to ministerial interests, overseen by the Prime Minister’s Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards. Both the Director General of the AGO and the Independent Adviser were provided with the Attorney General’s list of conflicts following his appointment.

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Lord Carlile of Berriew (The Chair); Lord Dodds of Duncairn; Lord Empey