- Motorsport and ‘Green’ Government initiatives
On July 14th, Lord Rooker asked Her Majesty’s Government what action they propose to promote the green initiatives under development in the (aerospace and) motorsport sectors. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Baroness Wilcox) replied:
The Government continue to work closely with the aerospace sector in promoting a range of green initiatives.
The low carbon vehicle innovation platform of the Technology Strategy Board is open to motorsport companies to apply. Already a number of motorsport companies have successfully applied to competitions under this platform, including the ultra low carbon vehicle demonstrator competition.
In addition, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is looking to support the fifth European Cleaner Racing Conference and to help UK companies meet with international visitors to Autosport International in Birmingham.
- Motorsport and UKTI export support
Lord Rooker asked Her Majesty’s Government whether they will work with the motorsport sector to exploit the export potential of their products and services, which have a high technological content – and what action UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) proposes to promote the export of expertise and products related to motorsport.
Baroness Wilcox replied that UKTI will continue to work with the motorsport sector to exploit the export potential of products and services with a high technological content.
UKTI’s national automotive sector team, working with the network of commercial staff overseas, identifies global opportunities and facilitates matchmaking with UK supplier capability through a number of means, including support for groups visiting key overseas markets, participation in motorsport trade fairs and participation in conferences and seminars.
Additionally, UKTI promotes the motorsport sector to an international audience at appropriate events in the UK, and uses the sector to promote the wider advanced engineering sector globally.
In 2010-11, UKTI will support groups attending a number of overseas motorsport trade shows including MotorSport ExpoTech in Modena, Professional MotorSport World in Cologne, the International Motorsports Industry Show in Indianapolis, and the Performance Racing Industry show in Orlando.
In addition, UKTI are looking to support the fifth European Cleaner Racing Conference and to help UK companies meet with international visitors to Autosport International in Birmingham. This is in addition to initiatives already supported in the USA this year. They will shortly be considering possible support for next year with industry representatives.
- Motorsport and the Working Time Directive
On July 20th, Lord Rooker asked Her Majesty’s Government whether they will maintain the opt-out from the working time directive in respect of the motorsport sector.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Baroness Wilcox), in reply, said that although there is no complete opt-out from the working time directive, individuals, who wish to do so, can opt-out from the maximum 48 hour working week.
The Baroness commented that this Government considers this to be very important flexibility, and are committed to its retention as reflected in the coalition agreement. The opt-out opportunity is available in all sectors of the economy, including motorsport.
- Motorsport to Defence – a reply from Government
Lord Rooker asked Her Majesty’s Government how defence procurement expenditure is affected by the high-tech contribution of the motorsport sector.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) replied ...
“Working with the motorsport sector is one of the new ways in which the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is actively engaging with small and medium-sized enterprises to expand the science and technology supply base to defence. Such enterprises are a rich source of creativity and technical innovation, and have already demonstrated they can provide rapid solutions to urgent defence requirements.
The motorsport industry, as with other hi-tech sectors, invests a huge amount of money in research and development. By building relationships with these companies, MoD gains access not only to proven technologies, but also the wealth of expertise that supports them. Through engagements of this kind, MoD seeks to continue to deliver the best equipment to our troops on the front line, increase value for money, and support British industry”
