Topical Questions 2021-04-15

2021-04-15

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The MP is questioning the government's response to a recent US-UK trade agreement.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. The questioner inquires about the recent historic deal struck with the US Administration that ended the 16-year Airbus-Boeing dispute and its impact on UK exports, such as Scotch whisky, cashmere, and machinery.
On 4 March, we struck a historic deal with the US Administration that removed 25% tariffs on some UK exports like Scotch whisky, cashmere and machinery. This agreement paves the way for an even deeper trading relationship with one of our closest friends and allies. The Secretary continues to work with the US trade representative on the deal and on broader trading relationships.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Context
The MP, as co-chair of the all-party group for Fairtrade, is concerned about steps the Department can take to support Fairtrade farmers and growers.
As co-chair of the all-party group for Fairtrade, may I please ask the Secretary of State what steps her Department is taking to make sure that our trade policies help and support Fairtrade farmers and growers across the world?
The UK is a long-standing supporter and champion of Fairtrade. The Department is opening up markets with developing countries such as Kenya and Ghana, and will launch its new general scheme of preferences soon to give more access to these regions, helping them to grow through trade.
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Q3 Partial Answer
Tan Dhesi Lab
Slough
Context
The MP questions if joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will make the UK a rule-taker rather than a rule-maker.
The New Zealand Government announced last month their policy towards countries such as the UK seeking to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership. They said: “New members…will need to comply with the existing…agreement. The text of the Agreement will not change. Current rules and obligations…will not change.” Is the Secretary of State concerned that this sounds very much like we will be rule-takers in the CPTPP, rather than rule-makers?
The UK follows rules and has high standards in areas like environment, animal welfare, food standards and intellectual property. It's in our interests to be part of an agreement with these high standards so we can hold other countries accountable and gain access to their markets.
Assessment & feedback
The specific concern about being a rule-taker was not directly addressed
Response accuracy
Q4 Direct Answer
Context
The MP highlights the importance of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they seek to enter new markets.
As we follow the covid-19 road map and move from response to recovery, it is vital that we offer our small and medium-sized businesses the tools and support that they need to find new markets, grow their exports and spur on our economic growth. Will the Minister set out what steps the Department is taking to make sure that our SMEs are supported on the world stage?
We have developed a new export strategy and Export Academy with toolkits, information, and internationalisation fund worth £38 million. We also offer UK Export Finance to help SMEs get financed and supported in their international trade efforts.
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Q5 Partial Answer
Context
The MP questions if the UK's departure from the EU will lead to a reduction in GDP and affect Wales' steel export safeguards.
Sixty per cent. of Wales's exports have been to the EU and steel is of great importance. Given that the Government's own Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts showed that the Brexit deal would lead to a 4% reduction in our GDP, and given that they are removing the safeguards on steel in June, does the Secretary of State accept that the overall amount and value of exports from Wales in the next five years will be less than it was in the previous five years due to the Government's policies?
We are not removing safeguards. The UK has high standards and can make independent decisions as a sovereign nation. There are opportunities for beef, lamb, car, and aerospace exports to grow post-Brexit.
Assessment & feedback
The specific question about the impact on GDP was not directly addressed
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Context
The MP highlights the importance of engaging the Indian community in Ipswich to increase and boost trade between the UK and India.
In Ipswich, we are fortunate to have an incredibly engaged local Indian community, many of whom run businesses sourcing goods coming from India. Also down the road, let us not forget, is Felixstowe, which takes in most of the goods that come in from India and then go around the rest of the country. Do the Government have any plans to closely engage with local communities, such as the Indian community in Ipswich, and possibly introduce cultural exchanges to bridge any cultural barriers there may be and therefore increase and boost trade between our country and our close friends, India?
I would engage with the local Indian community in Ipswich as we have huge opportunities to expand trade with India. Currently, trade is £24 billion but can be much more through an enhanced trade partnership.
Assessment & feedback
The specific question about cultural exchanges was not directly addressed
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Daniel Zeichner Lab
Cambridge
Context
The MP raises concerns about advice given to a British company exporting to the EU and questions if departmental officials could have done better.
May I ask the Secretary of State if she understands the frustration of the Cheshire Cheese Company, whose co-founder, I understand, spoke to officials in her Department before Easter about the problems that they are facing exporting to the EU? Extraordinarily, instead of being given advice on how to fix the problem, they were advised to look for other emerging markets. Given the Secretary of State's infamous passion for cheese, will she tell us whether her departmental officials could not have done better?
I am very happy to help the cheese company export not just to the EU but around the world.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about better advice was not addressed with concrete action
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Martin Vickers Con
Brigg and Immingham
Context
The Humber ports have been designated as a freeport, scoring high in every category. Businesses are eager to benefit from this designation.
Since the announcement that Immingham and the Humber ports have been designated as a freeport, businesses across my constituency welcome the move and see it as part of the Government's global Britain policies. What plans does the Department have to ensure they can benefit from the freeport and explore new markets?
Like my hon. Friend, I am celebrating the freeport, which will make a positive difference for businesses who will be able to export all around the world. Our export academy, the new export strategy and other elements are all there to help them make the most of it.
Assessment & feedback
Specific plans or timeline were not provided
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Kate Osamor Lab Co-op
Edmonton and Winchmore Hill
Context
The UK signed a trade agreement with Cameroon, but the text has not yet been laid before Parliament despite six weeks passing.
It is now almost six weeks since the Government signed a trade agreement between the UK and Cameroon. Will the Secretary of State explain why the agreement has not yet been laid before Parliament, and will she guarantee a debate when it is?
The text of the agreement, along with a parliamentary report and explanatory memorandum, will come before Parliament in due course. We wish to utilise this agreement to strengthen trade ties between our two countries.
Assessment & feedback
No timeline or specific date was provided for laying the document before Parliament
Response accuracy
Q10 Direct Answer
Context
The Department of International Trade's export programme in Wakefield has been successful, and there are plans to ratify more free trade agreements.
I have worked with the excellent team at the Department of International Trade on setting up the parliamentary export programme in Wakefield. With more free trade agreements to be ratified, including with blocs such as the CPTPP, can my right hon. Friend outline what benefits these new agreements will bring to businesses in Wakefield and across West Yorkshire?
Joining CPTPP now will benefit businesses through ambitious rules supporting digital trade and reduced tariffs on UK exports, building back better and building more opportunities for businesses, supporting jobs in constituencies such as Wakefield.
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Q11 Direct Answer
Chris Law SNP
Dundee Central
Context
Amnesty International raised concerns about the UK Government's resumption of military exports to Saudi Arabia.
In its annual report, Amnesty International cited the UK's resumption of arms sales to Saudi Arabia as contributing to a headlong rush into abandoning human rights. Does the Minister agree with this conclusion?
Not at all. We have one of the most robust systems of arms export controls in the world and will only permit exports where our values are upheld.
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Q12 Partial Answer
Context
The Department of International Trade has a public sector apprenticeship target to meet.
Will my right hon. Friend set out what progress her Department is making on meeting the 2.3% public sector apprenticeship target and when it will meet it, and also say what she is doing to encourage businesses in international trade to employ apprentices?
We achieved 3.5% of our total workforce as apprenticeship starts in England in 2019-20, up from 1.1% the previous year, easily clearing the target of 2.3%. We are confident of achieving the legislative target set.
Assessment & feedback
No specific timeline was given for meeting the 2.3% public sector apprenticeship target
Response accuracy