Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the infected blood compensation framework report by Sir Robert Francis QC by 14 March 2022 or as soon as the Government receives it, whichever is earlier.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The study will report to the Paymaster General no later than 14 March 2022. The Government will give full consideration to Sir Robert's study - which is separate from the independent public inquiry - and the Government's response and Sir Robert's study will be published.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will include investigation of alleged breaches of covid-19 regulations by (a) Ministers and (b) senior civil servants in the terms of reference to the public inquiry into the Government's handling of the covid-19 outbreak due commence in spring 2022.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The Prime Minister has appointed the Rt Hon Baroness Heather Hallett DBE to chair the public inquiry into Covid-19. The inquiry will be established on a statutory basis, with formal powers, and will begin its work in spring 2022.
Draft terms of reference will be published in due course, following consultation with Baroness Hallett and ministers from the devolved administrations. As set out in the Prime Minister’s statement on 15 December, Baroness Hallett will then lead a process of public consultation, including with bereaved families and other affected groups, before the terms of reference are finalised.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will make it its policy to publish in full the report of investigation led by Sue Gray into allegations of breaches of covid-19 regulations by the Prime Minister's Office.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The Terms of Reference for the Cabinet Office’s investigation have been published on GOV.UK and deposited in the libraries of both Houses. The work will be concluded by the Second Permanent Secretary.
The Terms of Reference set out that the findings of the investigations will be made public.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Northern Ireland on the end of the grace period for medical consumables on 30 September 2021.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
Lord Frost and his team are in regular contact with Vice President Šefčovič and the Commission about the various issues for which the Northern Ireland Protocol presents difficulties, including medicines and medical consumables. The Government remains in close contact with the Northern Ireland Executive as these discussions continue.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he will publish her Department's equalities impact assessments on the effect of the UK leaving the EU on women.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020. An equality analysis was completed for the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018, which is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/629244/European_Union__Withdrawal__Bill_equality_analysis.pdf
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress his Department has made in discussions with the EU Commission on obtaining part one listed status with respect to pet travel.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
Guidance on pet travel is set out on gov.uk.
Any changes to this guideline is dependent on the category that is given to Great Britain at the end of the Transition Period, with this being conditional on the ongoing discussions being had with the EU Commission.
DEFRA has submitted an application to the European Commission to become a ‘Part I’ listed third country in relation to the non-commercial movement of pet dogs, cats and ferrets into the EU, which the Commission is considering.
Discussions with the European Commission are ongoing. Updates will be announced in the usual way.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he plans to take to ensure the equity of immigration and modern slavery compliance controls placed on Northern Ireland businesses and their British competitors.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
The Government response to the Transparency in Supply Chains consultation, published on 22 September 2020, committed to an ambitious package of changes to the Modern Slavery Act’s transparency legislation.
Northern Ireland will engage and consult with affected Northern Irish businesses and public sector organisations on all the proposals.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to make provision for the (a) Common Travel Area and (b) Memorandum of Understanding signed by the British and Irish Governments in 2019.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
The Common Travel Area (CTA) is an arrangement between the UK, the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey, and Ireland. It is underpinned by domestic law in each jurisdiction.
The UK Government and Irish Government have indicated their commitment to maintaining the CTA, and to taking all necessary measures to ensure that its associated rights and privileges are protected. Both Governments confirmed that position on 8 May 2019, when they signed a Common Travel Area Memorandum of Understanding, setting out that commitment. The text is available on GOV.UK. The UK Government and Irish Government continue to work together to implement the CTA through bilateral agreements and legislation where required.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans the Government has for processes for checking goods outside of ports in Northern Ireland after the transition period.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
I refer the Hon Member to the statement by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 19 October, the approach outlined in the Government's Command Paper in May, and the guidance published on 7 August regarding the operation of the Northern Ireland protocol, as well as my answers to PQs here, and the updated Border Operating Model for Great Britain and the EU, available on gov.uk.
Further to my answer to PQs here, the Government has launched a Trader Support Service to provide end-to-end support to traders, backed by £200 million in funding. I urge businesses to sign up to the scheme with a link available on gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/trader-support-service.
We are also considering further measures of support as regards agrifood trade, as set out in the August guidance.
Regarding costs and burdens on businesses, the UK Government continues to work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive.
Northern Ireland produce will enjoy unfettered access to the rest of the UK following the end of the Transition Period.
The Government has committed to publishing further detailed information and guidance as soon as possible when relevant details are resolved, including where matters depend on discussions in the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee. This includes on the question of VAT and excise.
The question of Exit Summary Declarations for goods movement from Northern Ireland to Great Britain is subject to discussion at the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee.
The Government has set out its approach to ensuring how the requirements of the Protocol are conducted. This will include market surveillance for industrial goods.
The Government has an extensive communications campaign in place regarding the need for businesses to prepare for the end of the transition period, and this covers businesses in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that Northern Ireland (a) businesses and (b) consumers do not experience (i) increased prices for and (ii) reduced choice of goods after the transition period.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
I refer the Hon Member to the statement by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 19 October, the approach outlined in the Government's Command Paper in May, and the guidance published on 7 August regarding the operation of the Northern Ireland protocol, as well as my answers to PQs here, and the updated Border Operating Model for Great Britain and the EU, available on gov.uk.
Further to my answer to PQs here, the Government has launched a Trader Support Service to provide end-to-end support to traders, backed by £200 million in funding. I urge businesses to sign up to the scheme with a link available on gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/trader-support-service.
We are also considering further measures of support as regards agrifood trade, as set out in the August guidance.
Regarding costs and burdens on businesses, the UK Government continues to work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive.
Northern Ireland produce will enjoy unfettered access to the rest of the UK following the end of the Transition Period.
The Government has committed to publishing further detailed information and guidance as soon as possible when relevant details are resolved, including where matters depend on discussions in the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee. This includes on the question of VAT and excise.
The question of Exit Summary Declarations for goods movement from Northern Ireland to Great Britain is subject to discussion at the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee.
The Government has set out its approach to ensuring how the requirements of the Protocol are conducted. This will include market surveillance for industrial goods.
The Government has an extensive communications campaign in place regarding the need for businesses to prepare for the end of the transition period, and this covers businesses in Northern Ireland.