Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 23 January 2025 · 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 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial concern expressed over the reliance on AI in legal contexts following the Horizon scandal.
  • Government emphasizes the priority of UK manufacturing and UK-made steel in public procurement for national security.
  • Steps are being taken to protect British farms from biosecurity threats like African swine fever and foot and mouth disease.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Davis Con Goole and Pocklington
Science & Technology Standards & Ethics
Context

The Government is applying AI to improve efficiency and effectiveness across Whitehall. A concern raised by the Post Office scandal involves human civil servants making mistakes that can be explained, whereas AI systems may make significant errors without providing an explanation.

Question

When a human civil servant—let us say at His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs or the DWP—makes a mistake and is challenged, they can explain their logic and how they came to the decision. We know that the courts always believe that computers are best and give the right answer, but AI makes mistakes—sometimes huge ones. Because of the way it is programmed, it cannot explain how it got to the decision. How will the Government ensure that the appeal process continues to work and we do not have a high-tech version of the Post Office scandal?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Pat McFadden)

The right hon. Gentleman raises an important issue. The public inquiry into the Horizon scandal shows that blind faith in a computer system used in a court of law can lead to injustices. I do believe in the possibilities of AI, but it is important to keep the human element at all times. It will enhance human productivity but not replace it. That is the way we should go.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Chancellor did not provide specific measures or guarantees for maintaining an appeal process when using AI in public services.

How: Discussed Principles Without Concrete Actions

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Q2 Antonia Bance Lab Tipton and Wednesbury
Defence Business & Trade
Context

The Government promised to buy, make, and sell more in Britain. This includes prioritising UK manufacturing and UK-made steel in public procurement for energy and defence products on national security grounds.

Question

What action is the Minister taking to prioritise UK manufacturing and UK-made steel in public procurement for energy and defence products on national security grounds, as is allowed by the World Trade Organisation?

Answer from The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Georgia Gould)

I welcome the recent conversation with my hon. Friend on this important matter. The Government’s industrial strategy outlines the importance of manufacturing in the defence industry to economic growth and national security. The new national procurement policy statement will put growth at the heart of procurement and will align to our industrial strategy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Parliamentary Secretary did not specify concrete actions beyond referencing existing strategies.

How: Discussed General Principles Without Providing Specific Measures

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Q3 Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

More than 170 tonnes of illegal meat products have been seized at the port of Dover since 2022. There is a biosecurity threat posed by African swine fever and foot and mouth disease to thousands of farms in the UK.

Question

Given the biosecurity threat posed by African swine fever and foot and mouth disease to more than 800 farms in my constituency, alongside thousands of others up and down the country, what steps is the right hon. Gentleman taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure national security and protect British agriculture? I am sure that a statement would be very welcome.

Answer from Pat McFadden

As I said in response to the shadow Minister, we take the threat of foot and mouth in particular very seriously. We want to work with our farmers and protect them. This is a matter of national security, but it is also a matter of making sure that Great British farming is not affected by the outbreak in Germany.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Chancellor did not specify concrete actions beyond stating seriousness and intent to work with farmers.

How: Discussed General Principles Without Providing Specific Measures

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Q4 Callum Anderson Lab Buckingham and Bletchley
Brexit Foreign Affairs Business & Trade
Context

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster recently visited China to reassess UK-China economic ties. There is concern about ensuring that national security measures are in place while fostering commercial links.

Question

Earlier this month, the Chancellor rightly went to China to put our UK-China relations on a more pragmatic footing. Will my right hon. Friend update the House on what assessment he has made of the National Security and Investment Act 2021 to ensure that it remains fit for purpose in safeguarding the UK’s economic and national security as we cultivate new commercial links?

Answer from Pat McFadden (The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster)

The Chancellor was right to go to China. It is an important economic relationship, but there is a security aspect too. The National Security and Investment Act has an important role to play; it is there to safeguard critical areas of the economy. We keep it under regular review, and we will approach the relationship keeping both the security and economic interests of the country in mind.

Answered
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Q5 Marie Tidball Lab Penistone and Stocksbridge
Housing Local Government Environment
Context

Two weeks ago, Penistone and Stocksbridge experienced severe snowfall, disrupting daily life. Local councils have limited resources to manage such situations.

Question

Two weeks ago, my constituency was hit by the worst snow in 15 years, leaving vulnerable and older residents, schools and GP surgeries blocked in by the snow. I commend the Barnsley council team who were out 24 hours a day, eight days a week solid, but because resources are stretched their gritters can cover only the council’s primary and secondary roads. Does the Minister agree that much more should be done to improve national resilience in extreme and exceptional circumstances where snow is prolonged by cold temperatures, by giving local authorities that cover rural areas such as mine increased gritting resources and access to snow ploughs?

Answer from Abena Oppong-Asare (The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office)

I thank my hon. Friend for the work she did to support constituents during the heavy snowfall and I thank Barnsley council and other responders for their work. This responsibility lies with local authorities but I know that my colleagues in the Cabinet Office, the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government are keen for authorities to receive as much support as possible. MHCLG will be in close contact with local resilience forums to see what support they need.

Answered
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