Asked by: Lord Sarfraz (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the regional economic impact of generative artificial intelligence, particularly outside London and the South East.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government recognises the transformative economic potential of generative AI in the UK. While London and the South-East currently generate around 86% of UK AI Revenue, other regions, such as Manchester, Cambridge, and Edinburgh, are emerging as key innovation hubs. This includes £750 million of investment recently announced for the building of a new AI supercomputer, hosted at the University of Edinburgh.
Additionally, as HMG’s AIRR+ compute network can be accessed remotely, researchers across the country are now able to make use of the UK’s world-class sovereign compute, in order to train new cutting-edge AI models.
The North and South-West have the highest levels of business AI adoption outside of the greater South-East, suggesting industry in UK is harnessing the benefits of AI technology into their business practices.
Asked by: Lord Sarfraz (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to regulate pound sterling-backed stablecoin; and what assessment they have made of the impact of the United States GENIUS Act on any such regulation.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government has confirmed that it will bring forward final legislation this year to create a financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets in the UK. The Government recognises the growth and competitiveness opportunities of stablecoins, and its regime will allow firms to be licensed in the UK to issue stablecoins.
Following the passing of the GENIUS Act by the US Congress, the Government’s approach to cryptoassets positions the UK well to work with the US in advancing our shared ambition to foster world-leading cryptoasset markets.
Asked by: Lord Sarfraz (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they would support the nomination of President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his role in averting war between India and Pakistan.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The award of the Nobel Peace Prize is a matter for the Nobel committee, and not for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Asked by: Lord Sarfraz (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the (1) physical, and (2) cyber, threats to cable landing stations in the UK; and what measures they are taking to ensure the resilience of those stations against potential disruption.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Cable landing stations are a critical part of the UK’s digital infrastructure, and the Government takes their security seriously. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) works closely with the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to identify and assess physical and cyber security risks to telecoms infrastructure, including cable landing stations. These assessments inform DSIT and wider Government policy, legislation and engagement with the sector.
Asked by: Lord Sarfraz (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the policy implications of using copyrighted content as artificial intelligence training data.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government is carefully considering issues relating to copyright and AI, including the implications of using copyrighted content as AI training data.
The Government has launched a consultation on a package of measures to address copyright and AI issues. This will seek views and evidence of potential policy implications for the creative and AI sectors.
Asked by: Lord Sarfraz (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of copyright protection for works of art generated using artificial intelligence.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government is carefully considering issues relating to copyright and AI, such as copyright protection for AI-generated works of art.
The Government has launched a consultation on a package of measures to address copyright and AI issues. This will include seeking views on protection for the outputs of generative AI.
Asked by: Lord Sarfraz (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that Russia is planning to open a naval base in Tobruk in Libya.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The UK has made clear our apprehension towards Russia's destabilising activity in North Africa. We are concerned about open-source reports that Russia has plans to establish a naval base in eastern Libya, which will strengthen Russian influence in the central Mediterranean. The Ministry of Defence continues to maintain thorough assessments of the threats to stability and security across the North Africa region including Libya. The Government is also committed to working with the international community in support for peace and stability in the region.
Asked by: Lord Sarfraz (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent incitement to violence and hatred by Swedish politician Rasmus Paludan; and whether they will consider refusing him entry to the UK on the grounds that his presence will not be conducive to the public good.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
The Government does not comment on individual cases.
The UK Immigration Rules provide for the refusal of a visa application if a person’s character, conduct or associations make it undesirable to permit them entry to the UK.
Asked by: Lord Sarfraz (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the private security industry about protecting the (1) mental, and (2) physical, well-being of licensed professionals in that industry; and what steps they are taking as a result.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
The Government and the Security Industry Authority are aware of the significant impact the pandemic has had on both the private security sector and the night-time economy. The Government has implemented a range of measures to support businesses during the pandemic.
As required by the Private Security Industry Act 2001, the Security Industry Authority regulates the private security sector and advises Home Office Ministers regarding its role and functions. However, all matters regarding the deployment and well-being of private security operatives sits beyond the current regulatory regime and with individual private security businesses, as their employers.