Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 10 January 2024 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial commitment to developing replacement technologies for animal testing.
  • Minister congratulated SaxaVord on its spaceport licence for vertical launches in Scotland.
  • Government supports small businesses in adopting new technologies through programs like Innovate UK.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Dowd Lab Bootle
Science & Technology Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Discussions about crucial funding for the development and uptake of human-specific technologies, as opposed to using 3 million animals for experimentation.

Question

In advance of the Budget, what discussions has the Minister had with the Treasury regarding crucial funding for the development and uptake of human-specific technologies, as opposed to using 3 million animals for experimentation and research in the UK?

Answer from Andrew Griffith

The day cannot come quickly enough when we are able to end the practice of animal testing. That day is not now, but this Government are committed to doing everything we can to bring forward and support the development of replacement technologies. The hon. Gentleman has my commitment that we will do that at the right pace.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific funding discussions were not addressed.

How: Committed To Doing Everything We Can, At The Right Pace

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 David Duguid Con
Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

The Minister is asked to congratulate SaxaVord on gaining its spaceport licence from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Question

Will the Minister join me in congratulating SaxaVord on gaining its spaceport licence from the Civil Aviation Authority? Does he agree that the site in Shetland will serve as a critical vertical launch site not just for the UK but for the rest of Europe and beyond, and as such is deserving of full UK Government support?

Answer from Andrew Griffith

Yes, I congratulate SaxaVord on achieving the necessary licences to pursue vertical launches from Scotland. I hope to see the success of that launch, as well as rocket boosters under the UK space programme in 2024.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Chris Evans Labour (Co-op) Caerphilly
Education Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

A recent study indicates that small businesses can generate £77.3 billion in additional revenue and create 885,000 new jobs through digitisation.

Question

A recent study has shown that, through digitisation, the UK's small businesses can generate £77.3 billion in additional revenue and create 885,000 new jobs in this country. However, around four in 10 small businesses do not see new technology as relevant to their company and do not see tech investment as offering good value for money, citing a lack of skills and knowledge. What is being done to ensure that small businesses are not left behind in the technological revolution?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

We work very closely with the Department for Business and Trade on this agenda, and we work with the Department for Education on skills in general. We have fantastic programmes such as Innovate UK, which is helping to support businesses with the uptake of artificial intelligence. We recently produced additional guidance, too.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures not detailed, only mentioned collaboration and existing programmes.

How: Work Very Closely, We Have Fantastic Programmes

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 George Freeman Con Mid Norfolk
Science & Technology Standards & Ethics
Context

The Minister is asked to agree on the importance of learning lessons about technology procurement.

Question

I welcome my hon. Friend the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation to one of the great offices of state, and I thank the Secretary of State for supporting the science and technology superpower mission. Does she agree that, as the Prime Minister plans a rightly robust response to the Post Office saga, we need to learn important lessons about technology procurement to make sure that Whitehall never again repeats this appalling misjustice?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

You will see from the loud cheer the popularity of the former Minister, Mr Speaker, and let me take the opportunity to thank him for his hard work and dedication to the science, innovation and technology agenda. He worked very hard on the science and technology framework, an important pillar of which, as he knows, is procurement, and I absolutely agree with the sentiments he echoed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific lessons not detailed, only referenced previous work on procurement.

How: I Absolutely Agree With The Sentiments He Echoed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)