Written questions by Morris.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK-Japan Investment Memorandum of Cooperation on the UK’s clean energy sector.

The UK-Japan Investment Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) aims to strengthen bilateral investment relations and drive economic growth by creating opportunities for UK businesses to grow and scale in the Japanese market, particularly in sectors such as those driving green innovation and digital transformation.Through the MoC, DBT will champion UK investors and exporters by showcasing success stories, by addressing market access and business environment challenges directly with Japan’s Cabinet Office, and by providing a direct channel for UK businesses to access DBT expertise on the ground in Japan. This cooperation supports the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, which sets out plans to transform the UK’s clean energy and digital and technologies sectors over the next decade.

Whether his Department has had recent discussions with relevant stakeholders on (a) the UK- Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership and (b) offshore wind.

My department is working closely with the Taiwanese authorities to embed stakeholder views into the delivery of the UK–Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP). This includes industry’s feedback on the ETP from the British Office Taipei’s annual business survey, which includes perspectives from small and medium-sized enterprises.The ETP includes a Pillar on Energy and Net-Zero. My department will continue to engage with offshore wind stakeholders including business throughout the implementation of the ETP, as well as around the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero’s annual Energy Dialogue and the UK-Taiwan Renewable Energy Roundtable.

What assessment his Department has made of the impact of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement on manufacturing output in the North East.

A wide variety of manufacturing companies in the North East will benefit from this FTA, including those producing cars, who will benefit from tariffs reduced from over 100% to 10% under the quota, and wind turbines, whose tariff will drop from 11% to 0%.In addition, SMEs in the North East, who account for 99.9% of all businesses, will benefit from simplified customs and digital processes, helping them to take advantage of a rapidly growing market in India.The department has published a full impact assessment, that outlines the sectoral and regional impacts of the agreement.

What representations he has received from stakeholders on reforms to the Constitutional Reform and Governance process for approving trade deals.

Although the department has received representations from NGOs, academia, trade bodies and Parliamentary Committees on this subject over the year, we believe the scrutiny provisions under CRaG remain fit for purpose and have no plans to reform these mechanisms.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of Government funding provided to the Pub Is The Hub organisation on pubs in (a) Northumberland and (b) the North East.

Government recognises the important role rural pubs and those in deprived areas can play in supporting their communities and the work of Pub Is The Hub in helping them improve their resilience by providing additional community services. That is why the Government has provided £440,000 to help Pub Is The Hub continue this important work. In its 2025 report: PiTH-Social-Value-of-Pubsfinal.pdf, Pub Is The Hub highlighted over 40 diversification projects that could not be delivered due to a lack of funding. Pub Is The Hub operates across the UK and applications for funding are assessed using its criteria.

What steps his Department is taking to support the growth of small and medium businesses in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East and (e) England.

The Government’s Plan for Small Businesses, published in July, sets out the measures that Government is taking to support small businesses across the UK. This includes legislation to end the scourge of late payments which costs the UK economy £11bn annually and proposals to increase access to finance through the British Business Bank. Businesses across the North-East, including those in Hexham constituency, Northumberland, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne can also access specialist advice on how to scale up, access new markets, and receive financial support to grow through the North-East Growth Hub, delivered in partnership with the North-East Combined Authority.

Whether his Department has had discussions with relevant stakeholders on supporting businesses to create well-paid jobs in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East and (e) England.

The Government’s Plan for Small Businesses, published in July, sets out the measures that Government is taking to support small businesses across the UK. This includes legislation to end the scourge of late payments which costs the UK economy £11bn annually and proposals to increase access to finance through the British Business Bank The development of this plan was informed by a wide range of consultations across England, including specific input from businesses across the North East, and engagement with officials from the North East Combined Authority, the North East Chamber of Commerce and the regional teams of the Confederation of British Industry and Federation of Small Business.

What steps his Department is taking to improve support for pubs in rural areas.

Pubs are the beating heart of their communities, providing not just a place to socialise but essential services and local jobs, especially in rural areas. That’s why we’re investing £440,000 with Pub is The Hub to help rural pubs diversify, aiming to support rural communities, create new jobs and services. We also want planning and licensing systems to work fairly for businesses and residents, we’re creating a more balanced premises licensing system that not only safeguards communities but also supports responsible businesses. On 7 October the Government issued a Call for Evidence on Reforming the licensing system - GOV.UK (deadline: midday, 6 November 2025) We are also planning to introduce permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties under £500,000 rateable value. We work closely with the Hospitality Sector Council to improve the productivity and resilience of hospitality businesses by co-creating solutions to the issues impacting business performance.

What steps his Department is taking to improve support for pubs in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East and (e) England.

Pubs are the beating heart of their communities, providing not just a place to socialise but essential services and local jobs, especially in rural areas. That’s why we’re investing £440,000 with Pub is The Hub to help rural pubs diversify, aiming to support rural communities, create new jobs and services. We also want planning and licensing systems to work fairly for businesses and residents, we’re creating a more balanced premises licensing system that not only safeguards communities but also supports responsible businesses. On 7 October the Government issued a Call for Evidence on Reforming the licensing system - GOV.UK (deadline: midday, 6 November 2025) We are also planning to introduce permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties under £500,000 rateable value. We work closely with the Hospitality Sector Council to improve the productivity and resilience of hospitality businesses by co-creating solutions to the issues impacting business performance.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring manufacturers of agricultural vehicles to fit fire suppression kits.

The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 set out the essential requirements that must be met before a machinery product is placed on the UK market, in order to protect users of that machinery from any undue harm. This includes agricultural vehicles in scope. As part of those existing requirements, machinery must be designed and constructed in such a way as to avoid any risk of fire or overheating posed by the machinery itself or by gases, liquids, dust, vapours or other substances produced or used by the machinery.