Topical Questions 2021-06-10

2021-06-10

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Layla Moran Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Context
The UK agreed in principle a new trade deal with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Last week the UK agreed in principle a new trade deal worth £22 billion with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Can you make a statement on your departmental responsibilities?
Last week the UK agreed in principle a new trade deal with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein worth £22 billion that brings opportunities for British exporters and services. It is the first trade deal ever to include provisions on mobile roaming, and it brings benefits to UK fish processing, supporting 18,000 jobs in Scotland, East Yorkshire and north Lincolnshire.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Layla Moran Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Context
A recent outbreak of violence between Israel and Gaza raised concerns about British arms being used against innocent civilians.
Last month, Members were horrified by the outbreak of violence between Israel and Gaza. Can you set out whether British arms exports were used in any way against innocent civilians? If unable to do so, acknowledge the concern regarding potential breaches of international law.
We welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza last month. We are committed to a durable ceasefire. As the Under-Secretary of State for International Trade, my hon. Friend mentioned, we have one of the most robust export control regimes in the world and take these issues very seriously.
Assessment & feedback
specific details about UK arms used against civilians
We Are Committed To
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Context
The importance of a trade deal with the Gulf and the need for easy mobility for business people.
I recently had the pleasure of visiting B&B Attachments, a fantastic firm in Cramlington. For trade to be successful, we need to ensure easy mobility for business people. Currently Emiratis wanting to visit the UK on the visa waiver scheme are permitted only a single entry in six months. Will the Minister work with colleagues in the Home Office to allow multiple entries so that the UK is never at a disadvantage compared with other European countries?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to recognise the importance of the Gulf given that the six countries in the GCC are our third-largest non-EU export market, at over £30 billion last year. I am very pleased that we have a strong visa offer for our partners there, including the electronic visa waiver programme, and that the introduction of Britain's new points-based immigration system creates a level playing field for the first time in many years. I will continue to work closely with fellow Ministers at the Home Office to make sure that the visa system contributes to Britain rightly being recognised as a world leader with which to trade and invest.
Assessment & feedback
specific details about multiple entries for Emiratis
We Are Committed To
Response accuracy
Q4 Direct Answer
Context
The importance of showcasing the ability of firms like B&B Attachments on a global scale.
Happy birthday from Blyth Valley, Mr Speaker. I recently had the pleasure of visiting B&B Attachments in Cramlington. Now more than ever, we need to showcase the ability of such firms on a global stage. Does the Secretary of State agree that she is doing all she can to support and promote the achievements of our homegrown manufacturing?
I thank my hon. Friend for his continued support for businesses in his constituency, and I agree with him that B&B Attachments is an example of UK manufacturing at its best. My Department was delighted to help B&B grow its business overseas by providing specialised advice and dedicated funding. The Department is doing all it can to help other manufacturing suppliers from across the regions and nations of the UK to achieve success overseas, including with grants from our £38 million internationalisation fund.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Taiwo Owatemi Lab
Coventry North West
Context
Physical trade shows are taking place in the EU as early as July, and there has not been any confirmation of support for UK exporters.
Given that physical trade shows are taking place in the EU as early as July and no confirmation of what support will be provided to UK exporters. Can the Minister provide clarity on when his Department will publish its trade show access programme for 2021-22? Continued delays will be disastrous for UK exporters.
I thank the hon. Lady for her excellent question, because trade show support is really important for putting British business on the front foot. We have worked across multiple industries to improve our digital and virtual offer, and I am delighted to say that in some areas that has led to higher levels of activity than we had before. I will make sure that the House is informed as soon as we have further to say about the plan, possibly following 21 June.
Assessment & feedback
specific date for publishing trade show access programme
We Are Committed To
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Context
Two names of children and frontline medics killed during systematic oppression of the Palestinian people. £80 million worth of arms licences were granted by Ministers over three years.
Rouzan, a medic, and Yasin, aged nine—only two names of many who have been affected during systematic oppression of Palestinians by Israeli Government. £80 million worth of arms licences to Israel. Lives lost, businesses attacked, homes in rubble, families torn apart yet UK still selling British-made weapons to Israel. Will the Minister clarify if it is UK policy to sell arms to those complicit in violations of international law?
The UK has one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. We rigorously examine every application on a case-by-case basis, and the criteria are clearly laid out in legislation to ensure complete compliance with international law.
Assessment & feedback
specific policy on selling arms to those complicit in violations of international law
We Are Committed To
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Matt Vickers Con
Stockton West
Context
The importance of a free trade agreement with Australia and its benefits for the whole of the Union.
Happy birthday, Mr Speaker. I congratulate my right hon. Friend on securing a free trade agreement with Australia. Does she agree that an agreement will deliver for the whole of the Union, bringing huge benefits to businesses and jobs in Stockton South, and every corner of our United Kingdom?
I welcome my hon. Friend's enthusiasm for a deal with Australia. There is also the fact that it will lead to entry to the CPTPP—a vast Pacific market of huge benefit to the manufacturing industry in the north-east of England and beyond.
Assessment & feedback
specific benefits for all regions from trade agreement
We Are Committed To
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Paula Barker Lab
Liverpool Wavertree
Context
Post-Brexit, there have been significant changes to the checks on products of animal origin. The need for certified veterinarians to sign off dairy products is creating delays.
The Secretary of State will be aware that post Brexit, there have been substantial changes to checks being undertaken on products of animal origin. However, an abundance of red tape including the need for certified veterinarians to sign off dairy products rather than a dairy inspector as required by most non-EU countries is creating an additional burden and causing extensive delays to the processing of crucial consumer products. Will Ministers impress on their Cabinet colleagues the need to resolve these delays and press for a speedy resolution to facilitate efficient trade across borders?
The Labour party is the party of red tape; we are the ones who are getting rid of it. We have called for pragmatism in this area. We are a sovereign nation—we are British, and we are proud of it—and we are going to stand by every corner of this country as we deliver trade benefits and create jobs.
Assessment & feedback
Specifically avoided addressing the need to resolve delays in product checks for efficient trade across borders
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q9 Direct Answer
Context
In Burnley and Padiham, local businesses are successful in exporting but need more support to export for the first time.
A very happy birthday to you, Mr Speaker. In Burnley and Padiham, we have world-class skills and products, and when we export those, it is phenomenally successful, but we know that businesses struggle with having the confidence and knowledge to export if they have never done it before. Could my hon. Friend set out what steps the Department for International Trade is taking to give businesses the support they need when exporting for the first time, so that we can push the “made in Burnley” message even further around the world?
I am pleased to say that my Department has recently created the new Export Academy, designed precisely to equip businesses with the capabilities and confidence to export successfully. My hon. Friend is such a champion of his local exporters, and it is so refreshing to have Government Members like him championing local business. I believe that he is holding an exporters fair shortly, and I congratulate him on that. He will be pleased to hear that 259 businesses from the north-west have joined the SME pilot Export Academy since it began, including 15 from the Burnley area.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Context
The Secretary of State described the new trade deal as a major boost but the Norwegian Government said it is not comprehensive, will be more bureaucratic, and without a veterinary agreement there will be barriers to trade.
The International Trade Secretary described her new deal with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein as a “major boost” for our trade, but the Norwegian Government were more realistic. They said that the deal is “not as comprehensive” as our previous arrangements, that trade would be more bureaucratic and less dynamic and that without a veterinary agreement there will be a number of trade barriers that we did not previously face. Does the Secretary of State recognise that more honest description of the deal, and will she take steps to reduce the barriers to trade that she has created for our exporters and importers?
Once again, the Labour party is obsessed by membership of the European Union. It has not moved on from the referendum, when the British people provided a clear signal to us in this place that we should get on with delivering the benefits of Brexit.
Assessment & feedback
Attacking Opposition
Response accuracy
Q11 Direct Answer
Jeremy Wright Con
Kenilworth and Southam
Context
The Government has a deal with the US that will not compromise on digital safety standards.
I feel somewhat inadequate that I can only say this in English, but many happy returns, Mr Speaker. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that, as and when a trade deal with the United States is agreed, the Government will not compromise on the principle that underpins the online safety Bill—that digital platforms, including American ones, must comply with the duty of care to keep their users as safe as they reasonably can—and that that will hold true whether or not the Bill has completed its legislative passage and is enforced by that point?
The UK is committed to making our regime the safest place in the world to be online. In trade negotiations, we will protect our online safety regime, while also promoting our thriving digital industry.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem
North East Fife
Context
The Scotch whisky industry is important in North East Fife, and the risk of tariffs being reimposed needs to be resolved.
Scotch whisky is vital in North East Fife, not just because we enjoy a wee dram, particularly on birthdays—many happy returns, Mr Speaker—but because it forms a key part of the local economy. With four independent distilleries in my constituency, the success of these businesses matters both for those in directly linked jobs and for those working in tourism and hospitality. Can the Secretary of State confirm that the Prime Minister will use his bilateral meeting with President Biden this week to agree and publish a clear road map for the permanent settlement of the Boeing-Airbus dispute, which would remove the risk of tariffs being reimposed on Scotch whisky and other sectors?
It was very positive news when the tariffs were lifted earlier this year. We are now working very closely with Katherine Tai, the US TR, with whom I have regular conversations, on a permanent settlement to this arrangement, and we are making good progress.
Assessment & feedback
Specific roadmap or timeline for resolving the trade dispute was not provided
Under Review
Response accuracy