Topical Questions 2021-10-21

2021-10-21

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Rachael Maskell Lab Co-op
York Central
Context
The Secretary of State is being questioned on how she will prioritize climate protection over economic growth in the context of COP26.
Every mile that every product travels grows its carbon footprint, and the Secretary of State has not denied her Department's leaked document that states that it prioritises economic growth over climate protection. How will she make representation at COP26 when we hear that we are way off our 1.5 °C target, and place the climate emergency—and it is an emergency—at the top of her priorities, as opposed to being something she does not really believe in?
As I said earlier, economic growth and tackling the challenge of climate change go hand in hand. Finding solutions to those polluting methods of travel is a key area where the UK is leading with innovative businesses, and coming up with solutions regarding aviation fuel, or looking at clean shipping. We have brought international aviation and shipping challenges into carbon budget 6, and we are leading the way in ensuring that, economically as well as being part of the planet's requirements, we find solutions that mean we can continue to trade, ensuing that those journeys involve clean energy users.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address how economic growth is prioritized over climate protection
Economic Growth And Tackling The Challenge Of Climate Change Go Hand In Hand
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Context
The Secretary of State is being asked about steps to differentiate UK beef and lamb from products from other parts of the world.
I have a number of livestock, cattle and sheep farmers in my beautiful Hastings and Rye constituency in East Sussex, of which I am very proud. On global export opportunities for my farmers, what steps is my right hon. Friend taking to differentiate UK lamb or beef from that from other parts of the world, for example by establishing a UK brand? Is she developing an export strategy specifically for that purpose?
Our fantastic beef and lamb are world renowned for high welfare and environmental standards, and indeed for excellent flavour. The cross-Government GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland campaign gives global brand recognition to the UK's offer, including our world-class food and drink, which we are proud to promote around the world. Our agricultural food and drink Open Doors campaign, launched earlier this year, is helping UK agribusinesses seize the opportunities presented by our new trade agreements.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Chris Elmore Lab
Bridgend
Context
The Secretary of State is being asked about legal advice on the compatibility of online safety legislation with provisions in the trans-Pacific partnership.
I welcome the Secretary of State to her place and the two new Ministers to the team. I welcome the Prime Minister's commitment yesterday to bringing forward the long-overdue online harms Bill. The Secretary of State will know that I have spent many years campaigning on that Bill and trying to ensure that it is brought forward in better time. I know that Ministers will agree that there can be no loopholes in our trade agreements when it comes to the liability of online service providers. Have Ministers commissioned legal advice on the compatibility of the draft online safety legislation with chapter 14 of the provisions of the trans-Pacific partnership in relation to electronic commerce? We really cannot allow platforms to get away from culpability for not tackling the abuses that everyone receives through their platforms.
I thank the hon. Gentleman for the work that he has done in this area. Clearly, in addition to being compatible with UK law, we have an ambition that the UK will be the safest place in the world to do business. In addition to the legal advice that we commission, we are consulting widely with stakeholders in this sector and in other sectors that are emerging markets. We want to ensure that we are able to expand digital services but also to support the values that need to underpin that sector if it is going to thrive and be successful.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific legal advice on compatibility with TPP
Consulting Widely With Stakeholders
Response accuracy
Q4 Direct Answer
Context
The Secretary of State is being asked about the impact of free trade agreements on Stoke-on-Trent's ceramics industry.
One of the UK's greatest exports is Stoke-on-Trent's world-leading ceramics, which I am sure my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has heard much about from her newly appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent South (Jack Brereton). Ceramics manufacturers in Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke are delighted that our new free trade agreement with Australia will bring opportunities to export more of our outstanding products. Does my right hon. Friend agree that that is a fantastic boost for this iconic British industry and the world capital of ceramics, Stoke-on-Trent?
I thank my hon. Friend for being such a champion for his constituency and for this sector in particular. He is right that these deals will make it less costly and much easier to sell those iconic products. I know that he will be encouraging pottery firms in his constituency to ship to Australia and New Zealand, benefiting from the removal of the 5% tariff.
Assessment & feedback
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Q5 Direct Answer
Rachel Hopkins Lab
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Context
The Secretary of State is being asked about the impact of a proposed deal with Australia on UK food standards.
During recess, I visited a constituent on his farm. We discussed how farmers want a level playing field when it comes to trade, and their concerns about the Government's trade agreements undercutting UK food standards. Will the proposed deal with Australia reduce tariffs on meat produced using growth-promoting antibiotics, which UK farmers are banned from using? If so, how is it consistent with the repeated promises made to our farmers that they would not be undermined by food produced to lower standards than they are required to meet?
We have been crystal clear on this. We will not compromise our high environmental, animal welfare and food safety standards. That is non-negotiable.
Assessment & feedback
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Q6 Partial Answer
Context
The port of Southampton is one of the busiest container ports in the UK, with up to 90% of containers arriving from the Far East.
I am concerned that since we are now free to negotiate trade deals independently, will my right hon. Friend update the House on what progress she has made securing deals with countries in the far east and how it will help ensure the port of Southampton thrives into the future?
The agreement in principle that we have just secured with New Zealand, alongside the comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-Pacific partnership, will be hugely beneficial to my hon. Friend's constituency. I thank him for championing the Solent freeport, which will benefit Southampton and other local ports.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific details about securing deals with Far Eastern countries or their impact on the port of Southampton.
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Jessica Morden Lab
Newport East
Context
The former Secretary of State extended an additional year for the steel sector to appeal against the Trade Remedies Authority's recommendations to remove safeguards.
I am concerned that without extending the safeguards, we risk becoming a magnet for imported steel, putting at risk thousands of high-paid, high-skilled jobs and millions of pounds of economic value. Do current Ministers share these concerns?
We took a careful approach to this issue, balancing support for the steel sector with WTO compliance. The Trade Remedies Authority is working diligently on this matter.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific details about extending safeguards or addressing concerns directly.
Response accuracy
Q8 Direct Answer
Context
The questioner's family lives in New Zealand and he visits frequently.
May I thank my right hon. Friend for securing the free trade agreement with New Zealand? How does her Department engage with the Crown dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man during FTA development?
The Department for International Trade maintains a strong working relationship with officials and Ministers from Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man. They are consulted before launching FTAs and consistently engaged throughout their progress.
Assessment & feedback
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Q9 Partial Answer
Kate Osborne Lab
Jarrow and Gateshead East
Context
In Colombia, there have been numerous reports of human rights violations this year.
Ministers have stated that trade does not need to come at the expense of human rights. Given the serious abuses in Colombia, including 43 people killed by police during protests and over 100 social leaders murdered, should we suspend Colombia's membership under the UK-Andean trade agreement based on its human rights clause?
We always look closely at any abuses of rights globally. The agreement provides continuity for British businesses and balances objectives to deliver benefits.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide a specific commitment regarding suspending Colombia's membership based on human rights concerns.
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Bob Blackman Con
Harrow East
Context
The UK and Israel have a strong relationship, especially in the pharmaceutical and high-tech industries.
What progress has my right hon. Friend made on increasing trade with Israel, particularly in tech and pharmaceutical sectors?
Trade with Israel is progressing well. We are probing and scoping for better and deeper relations, including a revised future trade agreement.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific progress details or commitments in pharmaceutical and high-tech sectors.
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Context
Free trade deals may negatively impact local farmers and the environment due to cheaper imports.
Due to poorly negotiated ideology-driven free trade deals, farmers will have no choice but to resort to intensive farming to compete. Has DEFRA analysed how this shift impacts pollution levels and greenhouse gas emissions?
I do not believe UK farmers will resort to intensive farming. I challenge the Scottish Government to champion their businesses and food sector rather than doing it down.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address environmental analysis or impact on local pollution levels.
Challenge
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Saqib Bhatti Con
Meriden and Solihull East
Context
A new ministerial team has been announced, including parliamentary private secretaries.
I welcome the announcement today of an agreement in principle on the free trade deal with New Zealand. Can my right hon. Friend confirm that these deals are good for consumers and open up export markets for our farmers?
These deals will slash tariffs, create new markets, build preferential relationships with friends and allies, and I challenge colleagues to share business interests in their constituencies.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not confirm the benefits for consumers or specific export opportunities for farmers.
Challenge
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Kerry McCarthy Lab
Bristol East
Context
Sir David Amess, a member of the all-party British-Maldives parliamentary group, was due to ask about support for sustainable fishing in the Maldives. The Maldives faces 20% import tariffs on its tuna exports.
Why are we requiring 20% import tariffs on tuna from the Maldives? It is a highly sustainable sector and other SIDS do not have the same tariffs. What progress is being made on negotiating an economic partnership agreement or finding some other way to remove this unfair barrier?
The hon. Lady rightly refers to our late colleague, Sir David Amess, and his brilliance in championing issues across the world. His representations on behalf of the Maldives remain firmly lodged in my mind. Along with the Secretary of State, I will certainly continue to be committed to working with our friends and allies across the Commonwealth, including in the Maldives. The Maldives does not benefit from an agreement because the EU had not secured an agreement with the Maldives. I am looking very closely at what we can do now that we have taken back control of our trade policy.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify any concrete steps or timeline to remove tariffs
Under Review Looking At This
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Context
The UK has signed nearly 70 free trade agreements following the Brexit referendum, with many of these including significant deals such as the one recently announced with New Zealand.
With nearly 70 free trade deals now signed and the fact that the British people voted to leave political union with the European Union, does the Secretary of State agree that Opposition Members would have kept us in the single market and customs union, and we would not have been able to negotiate the free trade deals that we now have around the country, including the one announced with New Zealand? This now puts us in pole position to be the global leader that we are.
I could not have put it better myself.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide any substantive information or commitment
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Context
There is concern that human rights issues are being overlooked in the UK's trade negotiations with countries like Saudi Arabia, which has a poor record on human rights.
As we have heard, human rights are too often forgotten in our trade deals. I believe that the Foreign Secretary is now courting Saudi Arabia even more, to name just one of the countries that has a dubious record. When will the Government start getting serious about human rights and make it clear to countries around the world that until they get their human rights records sorted out, they are not going to get trade deals with the UK?
The hon. Gentleman does not seem to value trade around the world as a force for good. By having strong economic relationships, we can have honest and open conversations with trading partners, and we will continue to do so. In the Gulf, we have the opportunity to trade with a market of 50 million people, 30 million of whom, I believe, are in Saudi Arabia. The opportunities for trade are great and we will not let that sentiment from the Labour party get in the way of more trade for the benefit of our people.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address human rights or commitment to prioritizing them
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q16 Direct Answer
Context
The UK is already a leading destination for foreign direct investment, with a focus on green technologies and innovation to support the country's goal of reaching net zero emissions.
The UK is already one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world and this investment is vital to levelling up the country, particularly investment in new technologies and green innovation. Will the Secretary of State confirm that she is working to encourage this type of investment to help us to progress to net zero emissions and deliver on the Prime Minister's excellent 10-point plan?
Absolutely. The Global Investment Summit, which we hosted earlier this week in London, saw 200 of the world's most important investors coming to London to hear how they could be part of the UK's world leadership in green technologies; £6 billion of investment was committed to offshore wind and millions to many, many different new technologies. We had the opportunity to showcase many of the UK's leading future solutions to our green challenge and we look forward to continuing to increase that inward investment to help us to deliver them.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Stephen Morgan Lab
Portsmouth South
Context
The Environmental Audit Committee has been conducting an inquiry into carbon border taxes to inform the UK's approach to implementing such measures post-COP26.
Will the Department agree to consider evidence gathered by the Environmental Audit Committee's inquiry into carbon border taxes or, better still, initiate an inquiry of its own?
This is an important area of policy. I would be very happy to sit down and discuss the Committee's findings. It will continue to be a key area post COP26 as through the UNFCCC system we try to find something that can work across the planet, to make sure that we can be as effective as possible in using carbon pricing to help drive the green solutions that we all need.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to initiating an inquiry
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q18 Direct Answer
Context
The UK has begun discussions on a new export and investment partnership with Italy, one of its close European allies, aiming to enhance bilateral trade opportunities.
I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the news that she has begun discussions on a new export and investment partnership between the UK and Italy. Does she agree that enhancing our bilateral relationship with Italy will boost export opportunities and investment promotion for our businesses?
I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting an important G20 discussion that I had last week with the Italian Trade Minister. We launched a UK-Italy dialogue, which will be an opportunity to continue to grow the already substantial £14 billion in exports that we have with Italy and the £30 billion in overall bilateral trade so that we can build those relationships with one of our close European allies.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy