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Procurement Bill - Clause 1
12 December 2022
Lead MP
Gareth Thomas
Debate Type
Bill Debate
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 28
At a Glance
Gareth Thomas raised concerns about procurement bill - clause 1 in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
I move that the clause be read a Second time, which empowers the government to implement procurement chapters. This clause is crucial as it ensures transparent and fair practices in government spending. It aligns with our commitment to ethical procurement standards, ensuring public funds are used effectively and responsibly. We have consulted extensively with stakeholders who support these measures to enhance accountability and efficiency in government contracting.
Gareth Thomas
Lab Co-op
Harrow West
Clause 1 is essential for implementing procurement chapters, ensuring transparency and fairness in government spending. It aligns with our commitment to ethical standards, enhancing accountability and efficiency.
Lloyd Russell-Moyle
Lab Co-op
Humber
Emphasises the uncertainty in trade negotiations and its potential to divert multinational companies' trade through certain regimes, leading Britain to lose out on trade opportunities.
Geraint Davies
Lab Co-op
Swansea West
Stresses that there is insufficient scrutiny and democracy in the process of negotiating free trade agreements, advocating for more opportunity for parliamentary review and scrutiny.
Mark Hendrick
Lab Co-op
Preston
Reiterates that the negotiations under previous International Trade Secretaries lacked thoroughness, leading to a rush in completing the deal without adequate scrutiny.
Geraint Davies
Lab Co-op
Swansea West
Highlights that Japanese companies might produce left-hand-drive cars for New Zealand and Australia but not via Britain, potentially making the trade deal negative rather than marginally positive.
John Spellar
Lab Co-op
Sparkbrook and Small Heath
Questions whether a significant amount of imports come from countries other than Australia or New Zealand, specifically mentioning EU and South America.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Supports the need for assurances that Northern Ireland's agriculture produce will not be penalised under new trade agreements, emphasising its current export dependence on the EU.
Richard Thomson
SNP
Dunfermline East
Supports new clauses and amendments to ensure careful consideration of agricultural terms in trade agreements. Argues that UK farmers are already facing numerous challenges such as rising fertiliser prices, feed costs, labour shortages, and diesel costs. Urges the Government to take time to get it right for the benefit of all industries.
Anthony Mangnall
Con
Totnes
Challenges the need for more time in negotiations, suggesting that setting timelines and objectives can set standards for achieving trade deals. Emphasises multiple successful deals completed by the Government.
Arfon
Cites examples of lengthy negotiations such as the Canada trade deal, highlighting the importance of proper assessment and negotiation timelines. Points out concerns about export difficulties faced by businesses like Mary Quicke in Devon.
John Spellar
Lab
Sparkbrook and Small Heath
Critiques the Government's handling of trade negotiations, noting a lack of transparency and coherent strategy. Emphasises that securing deals has often been rushed without proper scrutiny or in the best interest of UK farmers.
Bilston and Wolverhampton South West
Highlights the Government's lack of consultation with devolved nations during negotiations, pointing to a failure in cooperative relations across the Union.
Mark Hendrick
Lab Co-op
Preston
Supports new clauses for impact assessments and criticises the mishandling of trade negotiations by the Government. Provides examples like the Australia-New Zealand deal, highlighting UK agriculture's loss and questioning the economic benefits to Britain.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Questions the Government’s rush in signing agreements like the Japan deal, bypassing proper scrutiny for political reasons. Agrees with former Secretary of State's criticism that securing deals was more about box-ticking than genuine negotiation.
Sarah Green
Lib Dem
Chesham and Amersham
The speaker is concerned about the negative impact on British farming, highlighting a £142 million hit to the agricultural sector due to lower production costs in Australia and New Zealand. She also raised concerns about small businesses struggling with increased bills and operating costs. The Bill's limited scope is criticised for not allowing comprehensive scrutiny of the trade agreements.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Intervened to support Sarah Green's argument, noting that lower animal welfare and environmental standards in Australia and New Zealand give their farmers an unfair advantage over British farmers.
Barnsley East
Mr Lloyd Russell-Moyle argues that Parliament should have more scrutiny over trade arrangements and procurement processes, ensuring statutory instruments are made via the affirmative procedure to allow for debate. He also emphasises the need for legal clarity to prevent undermining current protections around the world.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon, a Brexiteer and farmer from Northern Ireland, supports the Bill's potential to bring trade opportunities for his constituency’s agricultural sector. He requests that protections be provided to enable Strangford's farmers to compete in international markets without being disadvantaged by regulatory standards or state aid limitations. He highlights specific companies such as Lakeland Dairies, Mash Direct, Willowbrook Foods and Rich Sauces as examples of local success stories looking to expand exports. Shannon seeks reassurance from the Government regarding protections for Northern Ireland’s agricultural sector under new trade deals with Australia and New Zealand.
Arfon
Welsh farming unions warn that FTAs have set a damaging precedent for unfettered access to agricultural produce. The UK Government should commit to publishing cumulative assessments showing the impact of post-Brexit trade policy on Wales’s economy. MPs and devolved Administrations should have full votes on the objectives of future trade deals and access to negotiating texts.
Geraint Davies
Lab
Swansea West
The amendments seek to mitigate damage caused by rushed trade deals with Australia and New Zealand, highlighting concerns about farming interests, procurement risks, and the lack of democratic scrutiny. The speaker emphasises environmental issues, food security challenges, carbon emissions discrepancies, and the need for green economy agreements.
Arfon
Asked if there will be detailed assessments for Wales, including within regions and sectors in Wales.
Geraint Davies
Labour Co-op
Swansea West
Questioned the rationale behind giving an unlimited quota to New Zealand when they are not utilising their current quota, highlighting unnecessary risk exposure for the UK.
Arfon
Suggested that taking back control extends to Ministers and officials in devolved Governments but not to elected representatives, implying concerns about democratic accountability.
Nigel Evans
Con
Cannock Chase
Mr Nigel Evans informed Members about technical issues with Division bells in Norman Shaw South, advising them to find alternative means of notification for future Divisions.
Nigel Huddleston
Con
Droitwich and Evesham
Mr Nigel Huddleston moved that the Bill be read the Third time. He thanked Members who engaged with the Bill, assured them of engagement with devolved Administrations, and emphasised the economic benefits the deals would bring to constituencies across the UK.
Drew Hendry
SNP
Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey
Mr Drew Hendry interjected to ask if the Minister hoped that the Government might accept one of the SNP amendments. This intervention highlighted ongoing concerns about specific provisions in the Bill.
Torfaen
Mr Nick Thomas-Symonds thanked those who contributed to the passage of the Bill, criticised the Government for failing to achieve optimal deals with Australia and New Zealand, highlighted negative economic impacts on UK sectors, and emphasised a lack of proper scrutiny during negotiations.
Richard Thomson
SNP
Cardiff North
Thomson criticised the Government's approach to negotiating the trade deal, arguing that while Australia and New Zealand consider it beneficial, there is limited support in the UK. He highlighted that the UK prioritised speed over achieving good outcomes for consumers and producers, indicating a negative impact on the UK economy.
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