Promoting Trade with Northern Ireland 2024-03-06
2024-03-06
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The situation involves promoting trade links between Scotland and Northern Ireland, with a recent restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive.
Whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on promoting trade between Scotland and Northern Ireland. What measures are being taken to maximise these opportunities?
I am pleased to say that I have had discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland about maximising trade links, now that the Northern Ireland Executive have been restored. What is more, the UK Government have committed to establishing the East-West Council, which will identify opportunities for deepening connections between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, including the scope for extending the Northern Ireland investment zone benefits to Stranraer and Cairnryan.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The context involves ensuring that Scottish business bodies are aware of new Intertrade UK body and seeing improvements in business trade flows within six months.
Will the Minister ensure that business bodies in Scotland are fully aware of, for example, the new Intertrade UK body so that business can prosper between Northern Ireland and Scotland? Importantly, will he ensure that people can see the improvement in business trade flows between Scotland and Northern Ireland in six months' time, as compared with six months ago?
As set out in the Command Paper, the UK Government are working to establish Intertrade UK, which will fulfil our pledge to grow the economy by ensuring that businesses large and small can make the most of the east-west trading opportunities. Implementing the Windsor framework and the Command Paper are the Government's priorities, and we will provide an update in close time.
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Assessment & feedback
The question specifically asked for an update within six months on improvements in business trade flows, but the answer did not address this timeframe or commitment to a specific timeline.
Response accuracy