Andrew Griffith MP: written questions 2024
181 published records · newest first.
Written questions
European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts: ContractsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8494More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 5708 on European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts: Finance, whether the contract for construction was advertised.
Answer: The contract was procured by the Government Property Agency through a framework (CCS RM6088, Construction Works and Associated Services, Lot 5, Construction Works & Associated Services (£80m+) National Framework) which was itself advertised. As part o...
Answered 15 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordEuropean Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts: FinanceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8493More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 5708 on European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts: Finance, what estimate his Department has made of the construction cost
Answer: The contract is subject to an ongoing commercial process, and it would therefore not be appropriate to share construction cost estimates.
Answered 15 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordQuantum Technology: RegulationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8492More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the response made to recommendation 5 in his Department's policy paper entitled Regulating quantum technology applications: government response to recommendations made
Answer: The government response to the Regulatory Horizons Council review outlines a phased and proportionate approach towards quantum regulation in order to support the responsible development of the sector. This includes:Influencing industry-led standards and i...
Answered 18 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordScience and Innovation: ChinaDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8257More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in China.
Answer: Since taking office, I have been in contact and exchanged views on the UK-China Science and Technology relationship with Minister Yin Hejun, my counterpart in China’s Ministry of Science and Technology.
Answered 18 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSpaceflight: ShetlandDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8256More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to visit the SaxaVord Spaceport in 2024.
Answer: A date has still to be arranged, but I intend to visit as soon as possible.
Answered 17 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordQuantum Technology: RegulationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8255More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has met with the National Quantum Technologies Programme Strategic Advisory Board to discuss how to reduce the potential impact of regulation on the levels of innovation in t
Answer: The Department of Science and Innovation and Technology regularly consults the National Quantum Technologies Programme Strategic Advisory Board (SAB) on all aspects of the National Quantum Strategy, including regulation.SAB members have advised on and inp...
Answered 18 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordBioengineeringDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8254More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to publish a new National Vision for Engineering Biology.
Answer: DSIT has not announced any intention to publish a new National Vision for Engineering Biology.
Answered 18 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordGenomics: ChinaDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8253More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Answer of 25 April 2024 to Question 22294 on Genomics: China, whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the cross-departmental programme of work to
Answer: Through the delivery of the UK Biological Security Strategy, the Government is committed ensuring the UK is resilient to a spectrum of biological threats, as well as being a world leader in innovation. As part of this Strategy, the Government is undertaki...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordICT: EdinburghDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8252More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the University of Edinburgh following the cancellation of the exascale supercomputer project.
Answer: The Government is committed to building compute infrastructure that delivers growth and opportunity for people across the UK. My Department and I regularly engage with a range of organisations across the science and research sector, including the Universi...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordBioengineering: DatabasesDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8251More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions on national security considerations relating to biological data with (a) Genomics England, (b) UK Biobank and (c) NIHR Bioresource.
Answer: Through the delivery of the UK Biological Security Strategy, the Government is committed ensuring the UK is resilient to a spectrum of biological threats, as well as being a world leader in innovation. As part of this Strategy, the Government is undertaki...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordInnovation: 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 record
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