Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the privatisation of Channel 4 on residents in Newport West constituency.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of matters, including on matters relating to public service broadcasting and the ownership of Channel 4.
The Government consulted extensively on a change of ownership of Channel 4, and the views and evidence gathered from a wide range of stakeholders – including from stakeholders in Wales – have informed the Government’s assessment and wider policy-making.
Following this consultation, the Culture Secretary has come to a decision that, although Channel 4 as a business is currently performing well, public ownership is holding it back in the face of a rapidly-changing and competitive media landscape.
The Government will set out the future of Channel 4 in a White Paper shortly.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of the impact on Welsh tourism of the introduction of electronic travel authorisation passes for travel between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
The UK Government is committed to strengthening the security of the UK border by ensuring that everyone wishing to travel to the UK (except British and Irish citizens) has permission to do so in advance of travel.
People travel to the UK, including Wales, for a whole host of reasons and while the cost or requirement to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in advance of travel may be a consideration, the experience of other countries with similar schemes shows it is very unlikely to deter a genuine visitor. Obtaining an ETA is likely to incur a very small additional cost for travellers relative to the cost of travel and the benefits of visiting the UK, including Wales; therefore, it is unlikely to deter the majority of visitors. Moreover, the process for obtaining an ETA will be quick and light touch.
Many of the UK’s international partners have taken a similar approach to border security, including the U.S.A., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, meaning it is a familiar concept for travellers.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on proposals to introduce electronic travel authorisation passes for travel between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
The UK Government is committed to strengthening the security of the UK border by ensuring that everyone wishing to travel to the UK (except British and Irish citizens) has permission to do so in advance of travel. The Government will introduce an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme to close the current gap in advance permissions and to enhance our ability to prevent the travel of those who pose a threat to the UK.
The Government has been very clear in emphasising our continuing commitment to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. An important part of this remains an absolute commitment not to operate routine immigration controls on journeys from within the Common Travel Area, with no immigration controls whatsoever on the Ireland-Northern Ireland land border.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the legislative changes required to ban cargo of Russian origin from being unloaded in Welsh ports.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
The UK Government is engaging regularly with the Welsh Government and all the Devolved Administrations to keep them appraised of the developing situation on Ukraine and matters related to the UK’s response.
The Government’s sanctions are targeted against those sectors and individuals close to President Putin. This includes banning all ships that are Russian owned, operated, controlled, chartered, registered or flagged from entering British ports from 1 March. Ships carrying cargo from Russia were not within the scope of these sanctions, however the Government continues to consider what further trade measures may be necessary.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the effect on food supply to (a) Wales and (b) Newport West constituency of the invasion of Ukraine.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
I have regular discussions with colleagues in Welsh Government on a wide range of subjects. The Minister for Farming, Fisheries and Food recently met with her Devolved Administrations counterparts to discuss the implications of the ongoing Ukraine crisis on EFRA sectors, including supply chains.
With regard to food supply and commodities, our food import dependency on the Eastern Europe region is very low and we do not expect significant direct impacts on UK food supply. However, the UK Government has been engaging with industry and the devolved administrations to fully understand the impact of the Russian invasion on individual industries and supply chains and will continue to monitor the situation.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with cabinet colleagues on the effect on food supply to (a) Wales and (b) Newport West constituency of the invasion of Ukraine.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
I have regular discussions with cabinet colleagues on a wide range of subjects, including the conflict in Ukraine and the effect on food supply.
With regard to food supply and commodities, our food import dependency on the Eastern Europe region is very low and we do not expect significant direct impacts on UK food supply. However, the UK Government has been engaging with industry to fully understand the impact of the Russian invasion on individual industries and supply chains and will continue to monitor the situation.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of the strength of trade relations between Wales and (a) Northern Ireland, (b) Scotland and (c) England; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
The Government is monitoring and assessing these critical trade routes between Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. We are committed to strengthening the Union and increasing trade flows between the four nations as a key part of that strategy.
Under the UK Internal Market Act, we have legislated for a framework within which to manage regulatory divergence within the UK, ensuring the continued free flow of goods and services between Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England, by preventing the introduction of new regulatory barriers and enshrining the principles of mutual recognition and non-discrimination into domestic law. These principles ensure that regulations from one part of the UK are recognised across the other home nations and support companies trading in the UK regardless of where in the UK they are based.
We have further legislated to ensure unfettered access for trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on promoting renewable energy generation in (a) Newport West constituency and (b) Wales.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy about promoting renewable energy generation across all parts of Wales, including Newport.
The UK Government is committed to supporting renewable energy generation, with £285 million per year available in the fourth round of the Contracts for Difference renewable energy support scheme for projects in Wales, Scotland and England. We also recently announced up to £160 million in new funding for new large-scale floating offshore wind ports and factories across the UK. Wales is well placed to capitalise on this funding given the emerging pipelines in areas around the Celtic Sea.
I will continue to work with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and my Cabinet colleagues, to ensure that we capitalise on the huge renewable energy opportunities Wales has to offer.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had recent discussions with the Welsh Government on UK Government financial support for Wales to assist with resettlement of Ukrainian refugees in that country.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
Representatives from across Government meet frequently with colleagues in the Welsh Government and across the Devolved Administrations to update them on a number of matters, including the handling of the current Ukrainian crisis.
Given this is a constantly evolving matter, we are keeping under review how best the UK Government can support refugees fleeing Ukraine and how we allocate financial resource to do so.
At the same time, we have been working at pace to launch the Ukraine Family Scheme and it is now open for extended family members to apply.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on potential financial support available for the resettlement and welcome of refugees fleeing Ukraine.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
Representatives from across Government meet frequently with colleagues in the Welsh Government and across the Devolved Administrations to update them on a number of matters, including the handling of the current Ukrainian crisis.
Given this is a constantly evolving matter, we are keeping under review how best the UK Government can support refugees fleeing Ukraine and how we allocate financial resource to do so.
At the same time, we have been working at pace to launch the Ukraine Family Scheme and it is now open for extended family members to apply.