Question

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what the tender process was used before the contract for the supply and installation of the door at Peers' Entrance was finalised; how many tenders were submitted; which contractor was successful in securing the contract; and who made the final decision to award that contract.

Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble

The tender processes that were used are as follows:

Security Portal Contract

The Authority tendered to and contracted with Meesons A.I Ltd for the supply of a mobility accessible security portal and a secure revolving door portal which conforms with nationally recognised standards. Meesons A.I Ltd were identified as the only approved distributor capable of meeting Parliament’s requirements.

Main Works Contract

Three contractors were given the opportunity to be issued an invitation to tender for the main works contract (including the installation and commissioning of the portal and revolving door) at Peers’ Entrance through a mini-competition on a Parliamentary Framework. Two contractors confirmed they wanted to bid for the works and were issued an invitation to tender. Both contractors submitted tenders which were evaluated. The procurement was conducted in line with standard Parliament procurement procedures, where tenders are evaluated against a comprehensive set of criteria. The tender included a technical weighting (quality aspects) of 60% and a commercial element (cost) of 40%. The highest scoring contractor was awarded the contract.

The contractor that was successful in securing the installation Works Contract was DBR (London) Limited. The contractor that was awarded the supply contract was Meesons A.I Ltd.

Authorisation to award both contracts followed Parliament’s existing contract award and governance process, including approval of the project business case by the Accounting Officers of both Houses.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential benefits to Northern Ireland of the UK–India free trade agreement.

Answered by Baroness Gustafsson - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The UK–India Free Trade Agreement is estimated to increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion, boost UK GDP by £4.8 billion and raise wages by £2.2 billion annually in the long term.

Northern Ireland is expected to benefit from enhanced export opportunities, job creation, and reduced costs. Advanced manufacturing will benefit from eliminated tariffs on aerospace, medical technologies and electronics products. Irish whiskey will see tariffs fall from 150% to 40% over 10 years. Northern Ireland’s services and tech sectors will benefit from improved market access.

An Impact Assessment will be published at signature, which details the benefits to Northern Ireland.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what role they envisage the Northern Ireland defence sector playing in delivering the AUKUS agreement between the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

AUKUS is a landmark security and defence partnership with two of our closest allies. It is one of the most strategically important partnerships in decades, supporting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic, while also delivering jobs and economic growth in communities across all three nations.

AUKUS benefits the entire UK, including Northern Ireland, by strengthening our defence industry, generating thousands of new jobs. We expect over 21,000 people to be working on SSN-AUKUS programmes at its peak, both in UK shipyards and across the supply chain.

The commitments made in the Strategic Defence Review will only serve to enhance AUKUS and continue to contribute to jobs creation and economic growth.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much of the £400 million investment in UK sport facilities outlined in the Spending Review will be allocated to Northern Ireland; what is the eligibility criteria; and who will make the final decisions on specific funding allocations.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the nation.

This funding builds upon the £6.66 million already invested in Northern Ireland since 2024 as part of our Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme.

We will now work closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, and then set out further plans on how future funding will be allocated across the UK.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the removal of regulatory barriers on the supply of veterinary medicines from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is a priority issue in their discussions with the European Union; and when they expect an agreement on that issue to be reached.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Ensuring the continued supply of veterinary medicines into Northern Ireland remains a priority for His Majesty’s Government. On 19 May, the UK and the EU committed to negotiating an SPS Agreement, and while we do not expect this to cover veterinary medicinal products, the Government remains committed to protecting animal health and welfare in Northern Ireland by safeguarding supply. Officials continue to engage regularly with the EU, and the Government will be setting out its approach on this in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Portugal about allowing UK passport holders to use e-gates at Portuguese airports.

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

We have secured confirmation that there will be no legal barriers to eGates use for UK nationals travelling to and from EU Member States after the introduction of the EU's Entry/Exit System.

But the Prime Minister has been clear that we believe European countries should go further and faster now.

We are therefore working with individual Member States at pace to make that transition happen as soon as possible. This includes discussions with Portugal.

Israel APPG
Tuesday 10th June 2025

Found: Andrew Fox Attendees: Lord Arbuthnot, Lord Wasserman, Baroness Foster of Oxton, Lord Rogan, Sharon

Prostate Cancer APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: The Rt Rev. the Lord Bishop of Manchester • Baroness Freeman of Steventon • Lord Bethell • Lord Rogan

Taiwan APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Yours sincerely, Colonel the Rt Hon Lord Rogan Bob Stewart

Taiwan APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Colonel the Rt Hon Bob Stewart DSO MP Co-Chair Lord Rogan Co-Chair

Taiwan APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and met with about 60 UK parliamentarians, including Lord Rogan