Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 24 March (HL15443), what steps the Export Credits Guarantee Department has taken in the last year to meet its legal duty to keep under review the question of when uncommenced legislation that falls within its area of responsibility should be brought into force.
Answered by Lord Stockwood - Minister of State (HM Treasury)
The Export Credits Guarantee Department, operating under the name UK Export Finance, keeps the commencement and implementation of legislation within its area of responsibility under review alongside operational readiness and delivery of wider priorities. The only uncommenced legislation for which it is responsible is the Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Act 2026 which received Royal Assent on 18 March 2026 and will come into force on 19 May 2026, pursuant to Section 3(2).
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 24 March (HL15443), what steps the Department for Business and Trade has taken in the last year to meet its legal duty to keep under review the question of when uncommenced legislation that falls within its area of responsibility should be brought into force.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Every year we are in contact with Parliament and the relevant Select Committee’s to undertake required post-legislative scrutiny of relevant legislation. Any post-legislative scrutiny will include a review of the operation of the legislation, and highlight any measures not commenced and plans to commence them.
The department will, as part of its usual process, continue to periodically review legislation within its area of policy development.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 24 March (HL15443), which department is responsible for considering commencing the Easter Act 1928; when it last carried out a review; and what the outcome was.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Department for Business and Trade is responsible for decisions on whether to commence the Easter Act 1928.
The Department keeps this matter under review and – as part of this – considers whether the Christian churches agree on moving Easter to a fixed date.
The Government does not currently have any plans to commence the Easter Act 1928.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the accuracy of company register information held by Companies House following the changes implemented in March 2024.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government recognises that register accuracy must be assessed, and this needs to be through a range of measures. The following have been taken to date:
Additional measures are in development to provide further insights.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to Written Answer by Baroness Lloyd of Effra on 28 January (HL13712) and Ofcom's statement in the 2013 Postcode Address File Review that "The decision as to whether to make PAF an open dataset is one for Government to take", what steps they are taking to consult on and review the current status of the Postcode Address File as a closed dataset, and which Minister is responsible for this work.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Postcode Address File is a privately-owned dataset. This was a decision taken as part of the privatisation of Royal Mail in 2013.
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade owns the responsibility for postal services legislation. Section 116 of the Postal Services Act 2000 requires the owner of the Postcode Address File to make it available to those who wish to use it, on reasonable terms. It also requires the owner to maintain it.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to change the current arrangements for licensing and accessing the postcode address file; and what assessment they have made of the impact this may have on economic growth.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Postcode Address File is owned by Royal Mail. Royal Mail’s terms of access to the Postcode Address File are regulated by Ofcom, the independent regulator for postal services. Ofcom requires Royal Mail to provide access to the Postcode Address File on reasonable terms. Royal Mail provides free access to small charities and microbusinesses in their first year.