Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 16 October 2024 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Secretary of State acknowledges The Courier's role in highlighting issues related to social media and mobile phone usage affecting young people and commits to ensuring online safety for children and vulnerable individuals.
  • The Secretary of State asserts that all donations made to the Labour party during opposition have been declared properly and expresses pride in raising standards in public life.
  • The Secretary of State responds to accusations of failing to disclose conflicts of interest by praising civil servants and dismissing criticisms as attacks on talent in the Government.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Melanie Ward Lab Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP references concerns about social media usage and a proposed Bill to address digital safety.

Question

There are numerous examples of the damage that out of control social media and mobile phone usage is doing to our young people, including in my area of Fife. The Courier newspaper has played an important role in highlighting this. Does the Secretary of State recognise the concerns that the safer phones Bill—the Protection of Children (Digital Safety and Data Protection) Bill—presented today by my hon. Friend the Member for Whitehaven and Workington (Josh MacAlister) and backed by many hon. Members across the House, seeks to address?

Answer from Peter Kyle

I pay tribute to The Courier for exposing some of these issues. We must keep children and vulnerable people safe when they are online. I intend to ensure that safety is baked in from the outset. When it comes to keeping children safe in this country, everything is on the table and I am open minded about how we move forward to achieve a much safer environment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not confirm recognition of the specific concerns outlined in the Bill but stated intentions for online safety improvements.

How: Stating General Principles Without Addressing Specifics

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Q2 Andrew Griffith Con Arundel and South Downs
Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP questions whether the Secretary of State fully disclosed Labour links in a civil service appointment.

Question

Did the Secretary of State fully disclose to the Civil Service Commission the Labour links of one of the most senior civil service appointments, or the £66,000 donation he received?

Answer from Peter Kyle

Every donation that was made to this party in opposition has been declared in the appropriate ways. I am proud to be part of a party that raises standards in public life rather than votes to lower them.

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not address the specific disclosure question but commented on donation declarations generally.

How: Changing Subject

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Q3 Andrew Griffith Con Arundel and South Downs
Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP provides evidence of conflicts of interest not being mentioned as required by the ministerial code.

Question

Thanks to Whitehall Watch, we have a copy of the form. It is clear the Secretary of State failed to mention the conflicts of interest, as required by the ministerial code. In the words of the Prime Minister's favourite pop star, some would say he is “Guilty as Sin”. Will he refer himself to the adviser on standards, or do we have to wait for the Prime Minister to finish organising VIP motorcades and do it for him?

Answer from Peter Kyle

There we have it—a party that attacks civil servants and the world's greatest talent gravitating towards this party and this Government, to work for them. When he sees talent in Government, he libels it and saddles the taxpayer with the bill.

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not address whether he would refer himself to the adviser on standards but criticised the opposition's actions towards civil servants.

How: Criticising Opposition

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Q4 Alex Baker Lab Aldershot
Context

The MP invites the Secretary of State to pledge support and join an upcoming space show in his constituency.

Question

The first Farnborough International Space Show will take place in my constituency in March next year. With space agencies from across the world already signed up to attend, the show will allow the UK to stand on the world stage and showcase our position as a convenor of global innovation. Will the Secretary of State and the UK Space Agency pledge their support to the show and will he join me at this inaugural event?

Answer from Peter Kyle

Farnborough has done an astonishing job at getting British aviation, which I have supported, into the global news. My dad served in the Fleet Air Arm back in the 1960s, and I went with him many times to Farnborough to see the planes he worked on up in the sky.

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not commit support for the space show but shared personal anecdotes about his experience at previous events.

How: Changing Subject

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Q5 Samantha Niblett Lab South Derbyshire
Science & Technology Women & Equalities
Context

The MP asks about the Government's commitments to AI development and inclusivity.

Question

I know that the Minister shares the delight that many of us felt when it was announced that researchers from the UK-based AI company Google DeepMind are to share a Nobel prize for their work on protein folding, a technology that will help shape economies of the future. As founder of Labour Women in Tech, I want this technological growth to be diverse, so what are the Government doing to ensure both that the UK remains a global leader in this tech space and that my constituents in South Derbyshire are able to trust that this technology can and will benefit everyone?

Answer from Feryal Clark

I thank my hon. Friend for her question and for all the work that she does to encourage more women into tech. It is great to know that the tech world is full not just of “tech bros”, but quite a lot of tech sisters as well.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific actions for AI development or trust in technology but highlighted efforts to encourage women in tech.

How: Stating General Principles Without Addressing Specifics

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