Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to monitor the safety of British ships crossing the Arctic Ocean as new shipping lanes become accessible as a result of climate change.

Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

His Majesty’s Government does not directly monitor the safety of British ships crossing the Arctic Ocean. However, ships transiting these waters will be monitored by those States that have Search and Rescue (SAR) responsibilities in the region.

With regards the safety of British ships in Arctic waters, the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) came into force 1 January 2017 and requires ships operating in the Polar regions to meet enhanced safety standards which reflect the additional risks associated with those regions. The UK applies these standards through a survey and certification regime to ensure that safety standards are met and that ships operating in polar regions apply the additional safety considerations that are considered necessary.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have received on 'not for EU' labelling provisions; and what steps they will take to reduce the regulatory burden and costs of introducing them on small and medium-sized companies.

Answered by Lord Douglas-Miller - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

We have, and will continue to, engage with businesses extensively on NIRMS and GB-wide labelling requirements. A six-week public consultation on the GB wide labelling proposals closed on 15 March. As set out during that consultation, we are considering steps to reduce burdens which might be appropriate, such as for small and medium sized businesses. The responses are now being analysed and we expect to publish a response to the consultation in due course.

Found: Letter dated 22/03/2024 from Baroness Vere of Norbiton to Baroness Altmann, Lord Livermore and Baroness