Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 15 November 2023 · 9 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Priti Patel inquired about the Government's role in protecting vulnerable consumers during the transition from the PSTN land network.
  • Matt Rodda questioned the Government's approach to regulating AI, noting the actions taken by the US and the EU.
  • Carol Monaghan asked about the Rosalind Franklin Institute's mega-lab being put up for sale, despite significant taxpayer investment since November 2020.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Priti Patel Con Witham
Energy Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The planned retirement of the PSTN land network is a concern for rural communities, particularly in Essex.

Question

My right hon. Friend will know that the planned retirement of the public switched telephone network in 2025 will bring very significant concerns across rural communities, particularly in Essex—he will be familiar with that. Can he provide some assurance about the work that is under way between the Government and telecommunications providers to help improve services in Essex, particularly where we have poor broadband connectivity?

Answer from John Whittingdale

As I suggested earlier, the retirement of the PSTN land network is a decision for the industry, but the Government have a key role to play in ensuring vulnerable consumers are protected through the transition. I have regular meetings with communications providers and Ofcom to discuss progress on that. With regard to Essex, I share my right hon. Friend's concern—my constituency is the neighbouring constituency to hers—about the need to ensure that vulnerable constituents are protected. I can assure her that I will continue.

Partly answered

How: Will Continue

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Q2 Matt Rodda Lab Reading Central
Foreign Affairs Science & Technology
Context

The US and EU are taking action on AI regulation, but the UK has been slow to act.

Question

The Prime Minister has said that terrorist groups could use artificial intelligence to build chemical or biological weapons, but he has still failed to act decisively to regulate AI, even though the US and the EU are both taking action. Will the Minister tell the House whether the Secretary of State is using her current trip to the US to learn from the Biden Administration, or will our country have to put up with yet more dither and delay?

Answer from Saqib Bhatti

The Government have always been clear that we will have a contextual and proportionate response to AI. I spoke to the Secretary of State yesterday, and it is very clear that the US sees us as global leaders and will be working with us.

Partly answered

How: Will Be Working

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Q3 Matt Vickers Con Stockton West
Climate Energy Business & Trade
Context

Ben Houchen is bringing steelmaking back to Teesside, investing £1.25 billion.

Question

Teesside was built on steel and now, thanks to Ben Houchen, British Steel is bringing steelmaking back to Teesside. Green steel will be forged thanks to a new £1.25 billion arc furnace, leading the way in decarbonising our industries and bringing highly skilled jobs. Does my hon. Friend agree that any business looking to invest in green tech and energy in the UK should look to Teesside first?

Answer from Andrew Griffith

Teesside is a wonderful net zero powerhouse, and I commend the green steel project. That is one reason why Teesside was chosen to pilot the Innovate UK programme of launchpads, each of which will receive up to £7.5 million.

Answered
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Q4 Carol Monaghan SNP
NHS Science & Technology
Context

Since November 2020, £1.1 billion of taxpayers' money has been invested in the Rosalind Franklin Institute.

Question

I welcome the new Front-Bench team to their positions. Since November 2020, £1.1 billion of taxpayers' money has been invested in the Rosalind Franklin Institute as a mega-lab to defend Britain against future pandemics. Can one of the new team explain why the mega-lab has been put up for sale?

Answer from Andrew Griffith

The Government are investing record amounts in innovation and research in technology, including across the life sciences sector. I will happily meet the hon. Lady to discuss this matter in more detail.

Not addressed: Why is it being put up for sale?

How: Meet To Discuss

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Q5 Andy Carter
Culture, Media & Sport Children & Families
Context

The new law aims to protect children from harmful online content.

Question

What impact does the Minister think the passage of the Online Safety Act 2023 into law will have on children and families in Warrington South and across the country?

Answer from Saqib Bhatti

As a father, this issue concerns me greatly. The Online Safety Act is the most powerful child protection law in a generation. All in-scope companies will need to take robust steps to protect children from illegal content and activity on their services. Those safety measures will need to protect children from harmful and age-inappropriate content and activity, such as bullying and content that promotes eating disorders and self-harm.

Answered
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Q6 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Business & Trade
Context

The Minister is asked to coordinate an analysis of successful enterprise zones.

Question

Will the Minister help to co-ordinate a comprehensive analysis of the most successful enterprise zones across the UK and the ways in which zones that have not been as successful can maximise the opportunities such zones provide, such as in Coleraine in my constituency?

Answer from John Whittingdale

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to flag up the value that successful enterprise zones can bring to local communities. I want to see DSIT sectors benefiting as well, and I am happy to co-ordinate further with colleagues in other Departments to explore those opportunities.

Partly answered

How: Co-Ordinate Further

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Q7 Elliot Colburn
Science & Technology
Context

The revolution in AI requires access to the necessary skills.

Question

Given the revolution in AI, what steps is my hon. Friend taking to ensure that young people in Carshalton and Wallington have access to the skills they need for the future?

Answer from Andrew Griffith

The Government are committed to ensuring that the UK has talent that supports research and innovation and drives growth. That is why we are investing millions in the brightest researchers through scholarships, PhD placements and fellowships in technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum.

Partly answered

How: Investing Millions

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Q8 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Democracy & Elections
Context

Members of the House are concerned about being included in disinformation reports.

Question

What are Ministers doing to ensure that Members of this House are not included in disinformation reports compiled by the counter-disinformation unit in their Department simply for being critical of the Government? Their own Back Benchers are particularly interested to know.

Answer from John Whittingdale

I can tell the right hon. Gentleman that the counter-disinformation unit is there to flag up to platforms potentially misleading information, but it has no power to have it removed. I can give him an assurance that it does not identify any Members of this House or professional journalists.

Answered
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Q9 Peter Aldous Con
Taxation Business & Trade
Context

The Suffolk chamber of commerce has raised concerns about the current system for R&D tax credits, which has reportedly slowed due to HMRC's aggressive approach to fraud prevention.

Question

Research and development tax credits have been remarkably successful in promoting investment by small and medium-sized enterprises. However, the Suffolk chamber of commerce has highlighted that the system has ground to a halt due to the sledgehammer approach of His Majesty's Revenue and Customs to tackling fraud. Will my hon. Friend liaise with HMRC and the Treasury to ensure that a more pragmatic approach is adopted?

Answer from Andrew Griffith

My hon. Friend is a champion of his constituency, and I am happy to speak to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on that important matter on his behalf.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to adopt a more pragmatic approach towards R&D tax credits was not provided

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