Asked by: Ian Roome (Liberal Democrat - North Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on the defence industry.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is led by HM Treasury and administered by HM Revenue and Customs. While the Ministry of Defence has not made a formal assessment, we have engaged with defence industry partners who have raised the potential impact of CBAM on the defence sector, including compliance costs and the administrative burden on suppliers. The Department continues to work with HM Treasury, HMRC and industry to ensure these effects are understood as CBAM is implemented.
Asked by: Ian Roome (Liberal Democrat - North Devon)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation 2026/40 (PPWR) on UK small and micro-businesses trading with customers in EU member states.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra is aware of concerns among UK small and micro-businesses on the potential impact of PPWR compliance. Defra has raised concerns around the potentially disproportionate impact of compliance on these businesses, particularly regarding the need to appoint multiple authorised representatives, through engagement with the European Commission, and will continue to engage on this issue.
Asked by: Ian Roome (Liberal Democrat - North Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the clarity of the division of responsibilities between the Royal Navy, Royal Navy Police and civilian police forces for responding to suspected hostile activity by foreign military vessels within UK territorial waters.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Royal Navy works with the Home Office, civilian police and partners across government to protect UK territorial waters, and respond to threats.
Responsibilities and authorisations depend on the circumstances and proposed action. Defence may support civilian authorities through established Military Aid to the Civil Authorities arrangements, while any exercise of maritime law-enforcement powers require a legal basis and must be undertaken by authorised personnel.
Royal Navy Police may exercise specified maritime enforcement powers in defined circumstances. Any review or change must reflect operational needs, applicable law and the UK's different jurisdictions. As the threat picture changes, the MOD supports HMG efforts to ensure the continued security of the UK and our territorial waters, including primary legislation as necessary.
Asked by: Ian Roome (Liberal Democrat - North Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the six-month review of the Maritime Enforcement Powers (Specification of the Royal Navy Police) Regulations 2020, announced on 17 December 2020, was completed.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Royal Navy works with the Home Office, civilian police and partners across government to protect UK territorial waters, and respond to threats.
Responsibilities and authorisations depend on the circumstances and proposed action. Defence may support civilian authorities through established Military Aid to the Civil Authorities arrangements, while any exercise of maritime law-enforcement powers require a legal basis and must be undertaken by authorised personnel.
Royal Navy Police may exercise specified maritime enforcement powers in defined circumstances. Any review or change must reflect operational needs, applicable law and the UK's different jurisdictions. As the threat picture changes, the MOD supports HMG efforts to ensure the continued security of the UK and our territorial waters, including primary legislation as necessary.
Asked by: Ian Roome (Liberal Democrat - North Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Royal Navy is required to obtain the (a) agreement and (b) authorisation of a civilian police force before (i) intercepting and (ii) challenging a foreign military vessel suspected of posing a threat to national security within the United Kingdom’s territorial sea; and what legal and operational guidance governs the responsibilities of the Royal Navy and civilian police in such circumstances.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Royal Navy works with the Home Office, civilian police and partners across government to protect UK territorial waters, and respond to threats.
Responsibilities and authorisations depend on the circumstances and proposed action. Defence may support civilian authorities through established Military Aid to the Civil Authorities arrangements, while any exercise of maritime law-enforcement powers require a legal basis and must be undertaken by authorised personnel.
Royal Navy Police may exercise specified maritime enforcement powers in defined circumstances. Any review or change must reflect operational needs, applicable law and the UK's different jurisdictions. As the threat picture changes, the MOD supports HMG efforts to ensure the continued security of the UK and our territorial waters, including primary legislation as necessary.
Asked by: Ian Roome (Liberal Democrat - North Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will (a) review the requirement for Royal Navy Police to exercise maritime enforcement powers only at the request of civilian police forces and (b) consider enabling suitably trained Royal Navy Police officers to exercise those powers independently where necessary to (i) protect life, (ii) prevent serious crime and (iii) respond to an immediate maritime security incident.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Royal Navy works with the Home Office, civilian police and partners across government to protect UK territorial waters, and respond to threats.
Responsibilities and authorisations depend on the circumstances and proposed action. Defence may support civilian authorities through established Military Aid to the Civil Authorities arrangements, while any exercise of maritime law-enforcement powers require a legal basis and must be undertaken by authorised personnel.
Royal Navy Police may exercise specified maritime enforcement powers in defined circumstances. Any review or change must reflect operational needs, applicable law and the UK's different jurisdictions. As the threat picture changes, the MOD supports HMG efforts to ensure the continued security of the UK and our territorial waters, including primary legislation as necessary.
Asked by: Ian Roome (Liberal Democrat - North Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of legislative changes to provide Royal Navy Police with consistent maritime law-enforcement powers throughout the territorial waters of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, subject to legal jurisdictions and devolution settlements.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Royal Navy works with the Home Office, civilian police and partners across government to protect UK territorial waters, and respond to threats.
Responsibilities and authorisations depend on the circumstances and proposed action. Defence may support civilian authorities through established Military Aid to the Civil Authorities arrangements, while any exercise of maritime law-enforcement powers require a legal basis and must be undertaken by authorised personnel.
Royal Navy Police may exercise specified maritime enforcement powers in defined circumstances. Any review or change must reflect operational needs, applicable law and the UK's different jurisdictions. As the threat picture changes, the MOD supports HMG efforts to ensure the continued security of the UK and our territorial waters, including primary legislation as necessary.
Asked by: Ian Roome (Liberal Democrat - North Devon)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her department has made of the potential impact of increasing fuel costs on the fishing sector.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We have assessed that high fuel prices are having different impacts on the fleet, with some benefitting from higher prices for their catch. Generally, the more fuel intensive parts of the fleet such as trawlers and dredgers are most likely to be vulnerable to the increased fuel costs. Inshore vessels, whilst being affected, tend to be less vulnerable to fuel price increase although our data is less reliable. There are also regional differences in fuel prices and we continue to monitor the situation.
Asked by: Ian Roome (Liberal Democrat - North Devon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has made an assessment of the vote of no confidence in the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust board by the Consultant Body at North Devon District Hospital; and what discussions she has had with the Trust and NHS Devon Integrated Care Board regarding the sustainability of local services across northern Devon.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Asked by: Ian Roome (Liberal Democrat - North Devon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles has made of the potential merits of extending Electric Vehicle Grants to more classes of zero emission vehicles vehicles that are intended for commercial use.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Throughout the lifecycle of the Electric and Zero Emission Vehicle grants, the Department has engaged closely with vehicle manufacturers and will continue to do so.
All grants are kept under review to ensure the best value for money and eligibility criteria may evolve over time as we monitor the grants and further understand their impact.