Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Ben Everitt Excerpts
Thursday 26th October 2023

(1 year, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mark Harper Portrait Mr Harper
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Yes, I can give the hon. Gentleman that assurance. It is indeed £543 million of extra funding for the South Yorkshire mayoral combined authority. We have already had conversations with the South Yorkshire Mayor about the funding and his plans. I and my team will continue to do so, and our officials will work with his to make sure we can deliver those plans.

Ben Everitt Portrait Ben Everitt (Milton Keynes North) (Con)
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With the global AI summit coming up next week in Milton Keynes, it seems topical to ask: what steps is the Department taking towards the regulation of autonomous pavement delivery robots?

Jesse Norman Portrait Jesse Norman
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Of course, I have visited the technology that my hon. Friend is describing and seen it in action. We must balance the safety of patients and vulnerable road users with the potential benefits of this new technology, but I am very pleased to confirm that the Department will be funding research to advance our understanding of the impacts of this technology. The results will be published once the research has concluded.