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 have had with the interim Chair of the Post Office regarding the maintenance of Crown branches in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Post Office interim Chair, Nigel Railton, recently-announced a transformation plan, which aims to put the Post Office on a more stable financial footing for the future, including by reducing costs, and to increase Postmaster remuneration. The details of Nigel Railton’s transformation plan are being examined by my Department, and the plan is subject to Government funding and outcomes of the upcoming Spending Review. The Post Office will continue to deliver on the 11,500 minimum branch requirement and geographical access criteria set by Government.
No decisions regarding Crown, or ‘Directly Managed’ Branches, including those in Northern Ireland, have been taken. The Post Office has been clear however that it’s their ambition to operate the network on a fully franchised basis in time as this is a more sustainable model.
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 - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
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 tangible outcomes have resulted from the Northern Ireland Investment Summit in Belfast on 12–13 September.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Lainston
1000 jobs were announced at the Summit and work is now underway to deliver a strong legacy from it, with more investments expected as a result, including follow up activity such as the No. 10 hosted venture capital roundtable, aimed at encouraging venture capital investment into Northern Ireland. We also offered support for Joe Kennedy III’s incoming mission to Northern Ireland in October 2023 (US Special Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland).
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 have held with manufacturers about providing support for opening electric vehicle factories in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
My officials regularly engage with the automotive industry to discuss manufacturing opportunities in the UK, including in Devolved Administrations.
Asked by: Lord Rogan (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what research, if any, they have commissioned into the fire risk to public safety of lithium-ion batteries in e-scooters and e-bikes; and if so, whether this will be published.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has established a safety study to understand the data and evidence of the risks presented by e-bikes and e-scooters. This includes investigating incidents and taking enforcement action when needed, commissioning research, targeting unsafe products at the border and providing public safety information.
A research project on batteries has been contracted with Warwick Manufacturing Group, part of Warwick University and a centre for innovation in science and technology. This will examine the safety of the lithium-ion batteries within Personal Light Electric Vehicles. The research will be published in due course once completed.