What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that more contracts are awarded to Northern Ireland?

Last week the Government pushed through the imposition of the emissions trading scheme on domestic shipping. That will have a huge impact on Northern Ireland, because so many goods are brought into Northern Ireland from GB, or sent there, on ferries. What assessment has the Minister made of the impact this will have on consumer prices and manufacturing costs in Northern Ireland? Does he recognise that Northern Ireland will face heavy costs because of this net zero policy?

Low-income families have been hit by being dragged into tax bands that they were not in before and by energy costs, and now the chief executive of Aldi has said that unless the Chancellor reviews her raid on farm inheritance tax, rising food prices will hit those families as well. If she will not listen to the farmers, will she at least show some concern for consumers, and look again at this tax?

This week a conservation charity has indicated that the creep of wind farms in Scotland—17 million trees have been cut down to provide for them—is destroying the highlands, while in England 5% of prime agricultural land is to be used for renewable energy projects at a time when we produce only 60% of our food. Does the Secretary of State not recognise that his policy is destroying tourist areas, will make us more dependent on foreign imports for food, and will put up electricity prices?

In the 1970s, global warmists wanted to put black dust on the Arctic to block the sun. Now the Minister wants to put black dust on clouds to block the sun again. Is his plan not bonkers? £50 million of taxpayer’s money has been spent, which will only put up energy prices even further.

What discussions has he had with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that the national wealth fund is used to promote economic growth? Does he not agree that the big impediment to growth is taxing businesses to death?

Will the Minister commit to ensuring that Great British Energy does not support a project that would have a negative impact on tourism in Northern Ireland?

Many ministerial decisions are important in getting public services delivered, but so too is back-up by the civil service. There is some concern about the level of expertise in the civil service in Northern Ireland. In the inquiry into the renewable heat incentive, the permanent secretary admitted that the civil service was not able to give timely advice to Ministers and had not given accurate advice. What can the Secretary of State do to ensure that the gap in expertise in the Northern Ireland civil service is filled?

Devastating changes to inheritance tax, increased environmental costs because of net zero policies, and diversion of farming support to foreign countries—with those kinds of policies, how does the Chancellor ever expect to generate economic growth in rural areas?

As a result of those EU regulations, thousands of consumers in Northern Ireland are denied goods from Great Britain, and rather than adapt, businesses in GB have simply abandoned the Northern Ireland market. At the same time, this week, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has banned the import of meat from Germany where there has been a foot and mouth disease outbreak but not extended that ban to Northern Ireland because of the Northern Ireland protocol. While the EU protects its market, the UK appears to have abandoned the internal market of its own country. What will the Minister do to redress that?

Minorities can be protected only if there is stable and representative government in Syria. This morning I met some members of the Syrian Democratic Council who are concerned that the call for dialogue is not inclusive and that minorities are not being protected. What steps can the Government take to ensure that that does not happen and that there is inclusive dialogue? Will the Government, for example, link the lifting of sanctions against Syria to the actions to protect minorities and to the inclusion of the Syrian Democratic Council in future constitutional arrangements?

The heavy burden of business rates and the national insurance contributions that the Government are going to impose on small businesses is taxing businesses to death. Does the Minister recognise that in doing so, he is going to cause unemployment, higher inflation and lower growth, and that we are heading for higher taxes in future because of the downward economic spiral?

Will the Minister assure us that, given the American decision to allow strikes inside Russia, we will also give permission for our missiles to be used?

What is the reason for reneging on the promise of food labelling to avoid supply interruptions? What will trigger its imposition if needed?

What discussions have been had with Cabinet colleagues on implementing the Windsor framework labelling requirements set out in the 'Safeguarding the Union' Command Paper?

The Government's zero emission vehicle mandate includes a £15,000 penalty per car shortfall from the 22% target. Due to consumer resistance, manufacturers are restricting petrol car supplies and considering leaving the UK market. Given these issues, will the Secretary of State reconsider the target since consumers won't be forced to buy unwanted cars?

Can the Secretary of State assure us that the Government's view has not been influenced by any personal interventions by the chief of staff of the Labour party, for whom this is a personal project?