Andrew Griffith MP: written questions
296 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Innovation: RegulationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8250More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure that regulatory decisions taken by the Regulatory Innovation Office will occur in a timely manner.
Answer: The launch of the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO), a key manifesto commitment, is a big step forward in bringing the UK’s most promising new technologies to the public faster and safely while kickstarting economic growth. The RIO is committed to ensuri...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordInnovation: RegulationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8249More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the cost is of establishing the Regulatory Innovation Office.
Answer: The Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) is the Government’s key tool for advancing regulatory innovation. The Government will continue to evaluate timelines, costs, legal considerations, and objectives to ensure the RIO aligns with our transformative goals...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Science, Innovation and Technology: Arms Length BodiesDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 7 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7586More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps to reduce the number of arm’s-length bodies sponsored by his Department.
Answer: Arm’s Length Bodies should operate efficiently and should only exist where necessary. The Department operates a review programme and a number of DSIT's ALBs are subject to review every year. These reviews consider the continuing necessity of the ALB. New ...
Answered 15 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDigital Centre External Advisory PanelDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 7 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7585More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the selection process was for members of his Department’s Digital Government panel.
Answer: The Digital Centre Design Advisory Panel has been established to advise, test ideas and constructively challenge our thinking as we develop the new digital centre of government.DSIT selected individuals who bring a diverse set of views and experience from...
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordResearch: InnovationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 7 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7584More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the 10th Research and Innovation Framework Programme.
Answer: The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology published a Position Paper (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-position-on-eus-research-and-innovation-framework-programme) outlining the Government's views on FP10 on 26 September 2024.As s...
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordNuclear Reactors: Renewable FuelsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 7 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7583More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support the development of nuclear reactors which make use of re-processed fuels.
Answer: The decision of whether or when to reprocess spent fuel is a matter for the owner of the spent fuel. Whilst industrial scale reprocessing of spent fuels in the UK has ended, the value of the UK’s nuclear fuel cycle knowledge and skills base is recognised,...
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordNuclear ReactorsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 7 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7582More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support the development of advanced modular reactors.
Answer: Advanced Modular Reactors have the potential to help tackle hard-to-abate emissions in energy intensive industries. The Government continues to fund research and innovation to develop High Temperature Gas Reactor technology and their advanced fuels throug...
Answered 15 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSmall Modular ReactorsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 7 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7581More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support the development of small modular reactors.
Answer: Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) could play an important role in helping the UK achieve energy security and clean power while securing thousands of good, skilled jobs. The Department has provided funding of up to £210m to support the development of the Rolls...
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Energy Security and Net Zero: NewcleoDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 7 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7580More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with newcleo Ltd in the last three months.
Answer: Details of Ministers’ and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisat...
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSpaceflightDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5823More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps to support extravehicular activity on UK private space flight missions.
Answer: There are currently no plans to provide government support for extravehicular activities on private spaceflight missions.The UK Space Agency has been working with Axiom Space to explore the potential for a UK-led, commercially funded mission to the Intern...
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Science, Innovation and Technology: RecruitmentDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5819More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 2 August 2024 to Question 1988, whether he made an assessment of the potential merits of holding an open competition for the appointment of the Director Genera
Answer: Consideration was given to running an open recruitment competition for this role, however due to the temporary nature of the role and the need to progress work on the future design of the government Digital Centre at pace, initial use of an exception was ...
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordBioengineering: InfrastructureDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5709More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much funding his Department plans to provide for infrastructure projects in the engineering biology sector in the next three financial years.
Answer: The National Vision for Engineering Biology, published in December 2023, recognises the importance of access to infrastructure for enabling growth and unlocking innovation for engineering biology applications. UKRI invested £100 million in Engineering Bio...
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordEuropean Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts: FinanceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5708More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to provide funding for the development of a new headquarters for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts at the University of Reading to be completed by
Answer: The Government remains committed to funding the construction of a new headquarters for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) at the University of Reading, as set out in the 2021 UK offer to ECMWF. Construction of the new headquart...
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordCERNDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5707More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to continue implementation of the five goals of the UK Strategy for Engagement with CERN.
Answer: The UK is a founding member of CERN, and we are committed to our membership of this globally unique organisation. The government wants to ensure that the UK are maximising the benefits of CERN membership captured in the CERN Strategy. The UK will continue...
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air SystemsDepartment for TransportTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5706More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority on beyond visual line of sight drone trials.
Answer: The Government is committed to achieving routine beyond visual line of sight drone operations in the UK and has provided funding to support the Civil Aviation Authority’s beyond visual line of sight drone trials, whilst also developing the right regulator...
Answered 8 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Science, Innovation and Technology: Special AdvisersDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5705More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many special advisers have been appointed by his Department since 4 July 2024.
Answer: Three special advisers have been appointed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology since 4 July 2024.
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Science, Innovation and Technology: FinanceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5704More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to his Department's publication entitled DSIT annual report and accounts 2023 to 2024, published on 12 September 2024, whether his Department plans to use the £599 millio
Answer: As set out in guidance underspends cannot be automatically carried forward into the following financial year.
Answered 11 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air SystemsDepartment for TransportTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5703More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to support beyond visual line of sight drone trials.
Answer: The Government is committed to achieving routine beyond visual line of sight drone operations in the UK and has provided funding to support the Civil Aviation Authority’s beyond visual line of sight drone trials, whilst also developing the right regulator...
Answered 8 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordNew Businesses: InvestmentDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5702More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he is taking steps to support investment in (a) start-ups and (b) university spin-outs.
Answer: The Government is taking steps to increase the availability of capital in the UK and help businesses access finance, including for start-ups and spinouts. For example, our creation of a National Wealth Fund will increase access to domestic capital for bus...
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSmall Modular ReactorsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5701More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on easing planning rules for SMR reactors.
Answer: A new nuclear National Policy Statement (EN-7) is being developed which will provide updated planning guidance and set out any specific assessment criteria for the siting of new nuclear power stations, including Small Modular Reactors (SMR).
Answered 11 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordData Centres: Planning PermissionDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5700More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on easing planning rules for data centres.
Answer: The Secretary of State has regular formal and informal conversations with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on a range of issues. I welcome the proposed changes to planning policy that would facilitate growth in UK data ...
Answered 11 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordArtificial IntelligenceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5699More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions on the availability of consumer Artificial Intelligence tools with representatives of (a) Apple, (b) Google and (c) Microsoft.
Answer: Across DSIT and the wider Government, we continue to regularly engage with key stakeholders, including Apple, Google, and Microsoft. We recognise the availability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is fundamental to encouraging adoption and to kickstar...
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: RegulationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5698More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with his EU counterparts on EU Regulation 2024/1689 since 25 July 2024.
Answer: Following the King's Speech announcement to establish legislation to place requirements on those working to develop the most powerful AI models, we continue to develop our proposed approach. This includes engaging with key partners, such as the EU, who ar...
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: RegulationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5697More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the potential introduction of expanded AI regulation since 25 July 2024.
Answer: Following the King's Speech announcement to establish legislation to place requirements on those working to develop the most powerful AI models, we continue to develop our proposed approach. This includes engaging with key partners, such as the US, who ar...
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Science, Innovation and Technology: EqualityDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5696More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many diversity, equality and inclusion officers his Department employed in August 2024.
Answer: In August 2024, DSIT employed two members of staff whose entire role was dedicated to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and two members of staff for whom it constituted 50% of their role. This is a reduction from the previous month, where the team was t...
Answered 11 Oct 2024
Original Parliament record
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