Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the potential application of new geographical indications for Welsh food and drink products in Japan.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
As Secretary of State for Wales, I am proud to promote protected Welsh products, and was delighted to celebrate Single Malt Welsh Whisky on a recent visit to India.
I was also pleased to see that on 29 February 2024, 37 Geographical Indications received protected status in Japan, including famed products such as Welsh Lamb, Anglesey Sea Salt, Conwy Mussels, Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes, Traditional Welsh Caerphilly, Welsh Beef, Welsh Laverbread and Welsh Wine joining the seven GIs already protected in our agreement.
The UK Government is continuing work to secure protection for further products. The GI additions have been split into two tranches running in parallel to aid processing time, and officials will continue work to finalise the completion of UK and Japanese processes for the second and final tranche.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to paragraph 5.98 of the Spring Budget 2024, HC 560, published on 6 March 2024, by what process the £5 million for an agri-food Launchpad in mid and north Wales will be allocated; and what the criteria for funding will be.
Answered by Andrew Griffith - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Innovate UK, Ceredigion County Council and the Welsh Government will now work in partnership to lead the design of bespoke competitive rounds of funding for the new Agri-Food Launchpad. This will allow businesses to apply for a share of the funding to undertake projects in the Mid and North Wales agri-food cluster. Further eligibility details will be published when the competition is launched.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish a timetable for the development of the (a) strategic outline case, (b) outline business case and (c) full business case for the electrification of the North Wales Main Line.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
We are working closely with the rail industry to develop the Government priorities outlined in the Prime Minister’s Network North announcement, which includes an unprecedented £1 billion investment to fund the electrification of the North Wales Main Line. We are in the early stages of establishing the next steps for the North Wales electrification scheme, including the costs and programme for development and delivery. We will share further information when that work is complete.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of making the Universal Credit claimant commitment for kinship carers equal to that for foster carers.
Answered by Jo Churchill - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
No such assessment has been made.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence about the publication of documents held at the National Archives in relation to the bombing of RFA Sir Galahad.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Secretary of State has had no discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence about the publication of such documents, but the Minister for Defence People and Families has recently visited The National Archives to view some of them.