Topical Questions 2022-03-03
2022-03-03
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP inquires about the status of UK-India free trade agreement negotiations.
I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the trade deals thus far. Last week we held an excellent debate on the UK-India talks, and I congratulate her also on kicking those talks off. Will she update the House on the progress of those talks, and can she ensure that we conclude them by the end of this calendar year?
The first round of UK-India FTA negotiations concluded positively in January, laying groundwork for further progress. The second round is due to begin on 7 March, but no precise landing zone can be given at this stage.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific conclusion timeline
Not Wishing To Give A Precise Landing Zone
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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The MP calls for a total ban on exports of luxury goods to Russia.
I do appreciate the need to work with allies but let me push on this specific point. A ban on luxury products would send a signal to Putin's Kremlin who have often accumulated wealth at the expense of the Russian people. We can act now, will the Secretary of State work across Government and with European Governments to get a comprehensive ban in place?
We are using all available tools to tighten economic measures against Putin's regime. However, no specific commitment to an immediate comprehensive ban on luxury goods was made.
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Assessment & feedback
Immediate comprehensive ban on luxury goods
Working Across Government And With Allies But Without Specifying Actions
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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The MP supports tough sanctions on Russia.
The whole House stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people defending their right to live freely. Labour Members have called for a total ban on luxury goods exports to Russia, will the Secretary of State heed these calls and commit this Government to such an export ban?
We are working across Government using all tools available, but no immediate commitment was given to a total ban on luxury goods exports.
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Assessment & feedback
Immediate comprehensive export ban on luxury goods
Working With Allies And Using Available Tools
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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The MP highlights successful global exporters in North Devon but notes that smaller companies feel they cannot export.
We have many successful exporters like Turnstyle Designs and S+H Lighting, but smaller companies feel this is out of reach. Will my hon. Friend highlight what support is available to companies in remote areas such as North Devon?
Over 80 virtual Export Academy events have been undertaken in the south-west. The export showcase on 9 March can demonstrate full support for companies wishing to grow and export.
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand.
Farmers in Wales are angry because Government assessments show beef and sheep markets will suffer. How do Ministers and the Secretary of State square this circle to protect livelihoods?
In all deals, we need to focus on actual benefits and risks. For instance, New Zealand does not use its full quota, so fears about market flooding are unfounded.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures for protecting farmers' livelihoods
Noting Facts But Without Specifying Protective Measures
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from a visit to Bangladesh where the MP noted the country's economic growth and strategic importance.
Both myself and my hon. Friend had the great privilege of visiting Bangladesh last month with the Al-Tazid Foundation, where we met the High Commissioner and the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister. We also took part in the business side. I appreciate that we are going to do a trade deal, but can the Secretary of State outline what steps are being taken by the Government to intensify trade, co-operation and investment between our country and Bangladesh?
Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing global economies and is strategically important to the UK as part of the Indo-Pacific tilt. DIT is preparing to hold a second trade investment dialogue with Bangladesh this year and there will be a visit by the Prime Minister's trade envoy later this month.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific details on measures for intensifying trade, co-operation and investment.
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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The question is about ensuring gender justice in future UK trade agreements.
Trade rules are so often rigged against women, especially women living in lower income countries. Will the Department commit to carry out mandatory gender impact assessments on all future UK trade deals in order to promote greater gender-just trade?
As part of the free trade agreements we have negotiated so far, we have specific gender chapters because we wish to use the authority and the commitments that we make to these issues and work with friends and allies in drawing up trade agreements.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to mandatory gender impact assessments but mentioned existing efforts.
Response accuracy
Q8
Direct Answer
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Context
Some pork producers suspended their export licences due to a covid outbreak in China, and those licences have not been reinstated.
Some pork producers, including Cranswick, did the right thing and self-suspended export licences to China due to a covid outbreak. Seventeen months later, those licences have not been reinstated. Can we do whatever we can to get these licences back in place? It would help Cranswick, those other producers and the pig industry generally.
My hon. Friend is right to raise this issue, and it needs to be resolved swiftly. Ministers from across this Department are lobbying to that effect, as are our Ministers in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Prime Minister has raised it personally.
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Q9
Partial Answer
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Many countries are divesting from Russia's energy supplies.
It cannot be business as usual. As many countries are needing to divest and diversify their energy supply away from Russia, what trade mechanisms can the Secretary of State put in place to ensure that the UK can be part of that effort to assist those countries achieving that objective?
As we continue to look at how we can use our sanctions powers and work with allies across the world, things like the new sanctions brought in by the Secretary of State for Transport over the past week will start to bite on energy flows coming out of Russia.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific trade mechanisms.
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP notes that not all new trade deals include financial services, the UK's biggest export sector.
I warmly welcome the new trade deals that are being announced. Not all of them include financial services, which is our biggest export sector. Working closely with the Treasury, can the Secretary of State update the House on where the strategic focus is in increasing access for financial services firms and financial services exports?
The Government remain committed to championing export opportunities for our world-class financial services businesses. Through targeted export campaigns and an expansion of existing support services, we are promoting trade opportunities across the financial services spectrum and in specific areas such as asset management, green finance, fintech and insurance.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a strategic focus update but mentioned various efforts to increase access for financial services firms.
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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The MP questions the lack of export controls for luxury goods compared to Syria, asking about conflicts of interest.
When the Secretary of State responded to the question about luxury goods by not answering it, it begs the question, why not, and raises the question of whether there are conflicts of interest behind it. The contrast with Syria is stark. If it was appropriate for Syria, why is it not appropriate for Russia? I remind her of her words. She talked about working with allies and tightening the screw, so will she now, with her colleagues across Government, put in place that ban on luxury goods?
First, as someone who has been personally threatened by Alexander Temerko, I would just say that the hon. Gentleman is wrong to make insinuations about Members of Parliament in that respect. On the issue of luxury goods, many products have been exported not only to Russia, but to other countries supporting Russia's appalling, barbaric war.
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Q12
Partial Answer
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The MP echoes condemnation of the Ukraine invasion and raises concerns about business as usual with Russia.
I echo the words of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and of the Opposition in condemning the Ukraine invasion and in their criticism of Russia. It goes far wider than that, however, and it certainly cannot be business as usual, as the hon. Member for York Central (Rachael Maskell) just said. The free world is now in an existential struggle with despotic regimes such as Russia and China. What does global trade look like in the new era? I invite my right hon. Friend to—
We will continue to work across Government and with our allies to ensure that Putin's regime feels the absolute force of all the sanctions that we can bring to bear.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a detailed vision for global trade in the new era but mentioned cooperation on sanctions.
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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The MP wants a strong response from the UK government regarding criticism of Russia.
I have every respect for the Secretary of State. Will she promise to burn the midnight oil and do something very dramatic to take on Russia and those countries that have failed to criticise it?
The hon. Gentleman will be pleased to hear that not only I but every member of the Cabinet and all our Ministers are indeed burning the midnight oil to ensure that, as we work with our allies across the world, the message is absolutely clear and that pain—economic and other—is felt firmly by Putin.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific dramatic action or commitment was not provided
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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A report by Social Enterprise UK has found that social enterprises are outperforming other private sector firms in exporting overseas.
This year's research by Social Enterprise UK has found that social enterprises are overtaking the rest of the private sector in the proportion of firms that are exporting overseas. Does my hon. Friend agree that that shows the value of greater diversity in business?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. With my other hat on as Minister for Equalities, I can say that with the full support of the Secretary of State, we are working to ensure that the exporters and their supply chains are fully representative of all sections of society.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address the specific value of diversity in business exports
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Q15
Partial Answer
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The MP is interested in the collaboration between UK and Scottish Governments on increasing exports to South American countries.
What conversations has the Secretary of State had with her counterparts in the Scottish Government about how to increase Scottish exports to South American countries?
I am planning to visit our new trade and investment office in Edinburgh and I look forward to a dialogue with my counterpart at the first opportunity.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific plans or outcomes of potential conversations not detailed
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Q16
Partial Answer
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The MP is seeking updates on the UK's progress in securing a free trade agreement with Israel.
Can the Secretary of State update the House on the plans for a UK-Israel innovation summit and free trade agreement, following her recent visit?
Israel is one of our strongest allies and largest partners in global trade. We are working closely with our Israeli counterparts to deliver a successful summit in the next few weeks.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific details on the agreement or timeline not provided
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Q17
Direct Answer
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The MP highlights the importance of removing trade barriers for British exports beyond major trade deals.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that although the big landmark trade deals, such as those with Australia and New Zealand, grab all the headlines, of equal importance is the less-publicised work that she is doing to tear down the trade barriers that prevent the export of British goods and services around the world?
My hon. Friend is exactly right. Not only do the free trade agreements open the door for new opportunities to take away market access barriers but we continue to work week in, week out to pick off those market access barriers that can release more trade with friends and allies around the world. Some 200 of those have been cleared in the last month and we will continue to work closely on others. I encourage businesses that have particular issues to bring them to the Department's attention.
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Q18
Partial Answer
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The MP is concerned about the use of crypto-currencies to evade sanctions against Russia.
In standing four-square with the people of Ukraine, it is important that we really make sanctions work and the Government have led the world in doing that. Crypto- currencies have been widely used to evade sanctions. Will my right hon. Friend look into that matter?
I will ensure that my Treasury colleagues take note of my hon. Friend's question.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific investigation not committed to
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Q19
Partial Answer
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The MP is seeking action from the government regarding US tariffs affecting UK steel exports.
Steel is hugely important for Rotherham and Rother Valley, which is why it is essential to see the tariffs set by the United States on British steel dropped as soon as possible. Can my right hon. Friend outline what steps she is taking to get a resolution on this to get more jobs for Rother Valley and Rotherham?
My hon. Friend is a champion for Rother Valley, and he will be pleased to know that our section 232 tariff negotiations are going well. I will be speaking to my opposite number, Secretary Raimondo, in the next few days, and we hope to reach a conclusion very shortly.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific resolution commitment given
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Q20
Partial Answer
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The MP raises concerns about the impact of the Northern Ireland protocol on small and medium-sized enterprises.
In Northern Ireland, there are 123,000 SMEs. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure they are awarded the same trade opportunities as those in the rest of the United Kingdom, and has the Northern Ireland protocol hindered trade opportunities for SMEs?
I will raise that with my colleagues in the Northern Ireland Office to make sure that they have full access to all the trade support mechanisms that I outlined previously to ensure that all Northern Ireland businesses are fully aware of all the support packages available to them.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions not detailed beyond raising with NI Office
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