Sir Julian Smith

Opt-out Collective Actions Regime

8. When he plans to publish his Department’s review of and consultation on the opt-out collective actions regime.

Topical Questions

T3. JB Springs in Skipton has been in touch on the issue of quotas. It imports steel and is worried about the cost of steel and the future of the company. Personally, I do not have an issue with many aspects of the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill, but the quota issue is really causing problems. Is there a structure enabling colleagues to meet people from the Department, so that businesses can communicate their worries? Will the Minister keep an open mind about the quotas and review them in

Opt-out Collective Actions Regime

As the Minister says, it is really important that the collective regime continues—we have a great reputation globally for our opt-out regime. The litigation finance industry is vital to supporting claims from consumers. The Government said last year that they would proceed with a Bill to restore a legal issue following the PACCAR judgment, so does she have an update on when that Bill will come forward? It was not in the King’s Speech.

Lord Mandelson: Government Response to Humble Address

This is a deeply unhappy and unacceptable situation. It is completely unacceptable, after writing and raising questions informally with officials and the Minister himself, for the Chair and members of the ISC to have to come to this House to pose an urgent question. Will the Minister confirm that if there are any changes to permissions, he will come to this House and seek approval from the House for those changes?

Synthetic Chemicals

I commend the Committee Chair and the Committee on the report, and I commend the Government on the PFAS plan. I thank him and the Committee for attending the location in my constituency that has suffered from this issue. Realistically, I cannot see this Government or a future Government being able to put in the money needed. The levy idea that he refers to seems to be a key way ahead. While consideration is given to his report’s recommendations, does he agree that communities impacted by PFAS ne

NHS Federated Data Platform

One of the issues that the hon. Gentleman has not discussed in his excellent speech is governance. The commissioner of the contract is the NHS, and it is also the main oversight body. He has put forward a black-and-white solution—end or maintain the contract—but is there not a case for a more robust governance structure? That could involve giving more powers to the National Data Guardian or setting up a bespoke oversight body for this contract.