Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 3 September 2020 · 11 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 10 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sheryll Murray asked about promoting Cornish and British produce during trade negotiations, to which the Minister responded with progress updates on negotiations with the US, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
  • David Linden inquired about the impact of tariffs on Scotch whisky and shortbread, receiving an update that new tariffs on blended whisky have been halted and shortbread tariffs removed.
  • Jason McCartney sought reassurances that trade deals would not compromise local food and drink product standards, to which the Minister affirmed the government's commitment to maintaining high environmental, animal welfare, and food safety standards.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sheryll Murray Con
Business & Trade
Context

The MP inquires about the progress of negotiations and promotion of British products.

Question

If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. Will my right hon. Friend please promote this fantastic Cornish and British produce during her trade negotiations around the world?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

We are making good progress on negotiations with the US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, and on accession to the CPTPP. I am going to be in Cornwall in a couple of weeks' time, visiting the Saputo creamery, which exports Cathedral City to the United States—there is currently a 26% tariff on that cheese, which I am seeking to get removed—and I would be delighted to visit her in her constituency and see some of her great food businesses as well.

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Q2 David Linden SNP
Business & Trade
Context

The MP inquires about the progress of negotiations to remove tariffs imposed by the US.

Question

Yesterday, I met Beam Suntory and the Scotch Whisky Association to hear about the crippling impact that tariffs are having on the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Can she give us an update on how that is going and, more importantly, tell us when we are going to call time on tariffs?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

We have made some progress in that we have stopped new tariffs being imposed on blended whisky. We have also got the tariffs removed on shortbread, such as Walkers, which has helped protect 250 jobs. However, the reality is that the EU has been responsible for negotiating the Airbus retaliatory tariffs; it has failed to do so, and that is why I have entered direct talks with the United States. I will be having more talks in the coming months to get these unfair, unjust tariffs removed on single malt whisky.

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Q3 Jason McCartney Con
Brexit Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP seeks reassurances that high food and animal welfare standards will be maintained during negotiations.

Question

During the lockdown and local restrictions, my constituents have really embraced shopping local and really supporting quality local food and drink products. What reassurances can the Minister please give me and my constituents that, while we do these trade deals, we really will not compromise our high food standards and our animal welfare standards?

Answer from Greg Hands

I thank my hon. Friend for that question. It is worth reminding ourselves that he and I were both elected in December on a strong programme of no compromise on our standards on the environment, animal welfare and food safety—he and I collectively and individually. That is in the manifesto, and it has been made in repeated statements by the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for the International Trade and the whole DIT team.

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Q4 Simon Jupp ID: 25911
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP welcomes the Minister to East Devon and seeks reassurances for Devon farmers.

Question

Recently, I welcomed the Minister to East Devon to visit a dairy farm to discuss the opportunities ahead to export a wide variety of world-renowned produce from my home county. What reassurances can my hon. Friend give our farmers in Devon that their produce will be promoted and protected by this Government?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

They say it never rains in East Devon when in the company of my hon. Friend, which was certainly true on my great visit to his constituency. We met a huge number of great businesses and landowners who look after our countryside and curate it for the next generation. We will never sign a trade deal that compromises Britain's high environmental protections or animal welfare and food safety standards. Indeed, I assure my hon. Friend that we will continue to promote our excellent British produce overseas through agriculture, food and drink bounce-back plans.

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Q5 Afzal Khan Lab
Brexit Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP inquires about discussions regarding Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories.

Question

As we speak, Palestinian communities remain at risk of forcible transfer as a result of Israeli annexation. The UK prohibited all trade from Crimea after Russia's illegal occupation and annexation in 2014, and we should follow that precedent when it comes to illegal settlements. Has the International Trade Secretary had discussions with her Israeli counterpart over the illegal annexation, and will she reconsider UK trade deals with settlement territories?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary was recently in Israel talking about our close relationship with that important ally.

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Q6 Flick Drummond Con Stroud
Defence Business & Trade
Context

Expressed sympathies for former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee's death and inquired about UK defence industry export opportunities in India.

Question

India is the world's second largest importer of arms, but despite a robust UK defence industry including companies like Domo Tactical Communications from my constituency, India does not represent a significant market for us. What measures are being taken to boost exports and deepen defense ties with our largest Commonwealth ally?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

We have been increasing engagement in the defense sector. The UK supported its largest ever delegation at India's defense expo earlier this year, including 160 business leaders. Given that India prefers to contract such deals via Government-to-Government frameworks, we are leading cross-government efforts to facilitate British businesses further.

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Q7 Tony Lloyd Lab Rochdale
Climate Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Asked about the effectiveness of environmental protections in bilateral trade agreements and their role in internationalizing these efforts.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that while environmental protections work within bilateral trade deals, they are most effective when the process is truly internationalized? In preparation for COP26, what steps are being taken to ensure strong environmental protection measures are a key component of international trade discussions?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

I fully agree. As we take our independent seat at the World Trade Organisation, alongside pushing for technology and services advancements, we aim to collaborate with environmentally aligned partners to secure strong environmental agreements through our COP26 agenda.

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Q8 Chris Matheson Lab Aberavon
Climate Brexit Foreign Affairs
Context

Asked about the implications of appointing Tony Abbott, known for sexist and homophobic views and climate change denialism.

Question

The appointment of sexist and homophobic Tony Abbott also includes his stance on climate change. Does this suggest a shift in the Government's commitment to maintaining environmental protection standards in trade deals? If not, why is he appointed?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

It's hypocritical to hear such arguments from the Labour party. They supported their former shadow Chancellor who called for lynching one of my female colleagues without apology and never elected a woman leader despite opportunities.

Not addressed: Labour Party's hypocrisy on sexism, homophobia, climate change denialism.

How: Redirect

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Q9 Christine Jardine Lib Dem East Lothian
Business & Trade
Context

Asked about support for the whisky industry which has lost a third of its exports to the US since the tariff introduction.

Question

We have heard warm words about cheese and food from Government, but we need concrete assurances in Scotland. The Scotch whisky industry has seen 25% export loss to the US post-tariff imposition. What are the Government doing to support this critical sector?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

I am engaged in direct talks with the US about addressing this issue, following the EU's 15-year failure to act on it despite what my hon. Friend wishes for.

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Q10 Ian Byrne Lab Liverpool, Walton
Employment Business & Trade
Context

Inquired about the number of free trade agreements where clauses protecting workers' rights have been secured or sought.

Question

The Government are either in FTA reach or active negotiations with 15 countries that rank poorly on worker rights. Can you tell us how many of these FTAs include provisions securing or seeking to secure workers' rights?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

FTA details are reserved for formal negotiations. HM Government has stressed that increased trade need not come at the expense of high labour standards. We remain active ILO members, upholding our leading world standards and commitments.

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Q11 Paul Blomfield Lab Sheffield Central
Brexit
Context

In response to a previous question, the Minister stated that the vast majority of trade covered by existing EU deals has already been secured. However, this statement contradicts information on the Department's website.

Question

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Thank you for taking this point of order, because it relates to the questions we have just heard. In answer to my question on rolling over the deals that we currently enjoy through membership of the European Union, the Under-Secretary of State for International Trade, the hon. Member for Beverley and Holderness (Graham Stuart), said that “the vast majority of the trade covered by those deals has already been secured,” This statement is contradicted by the Department's own website which says that 19 deals have been secured worth £84.07 billion last year, but there are 18 deals outstanding worth £84.5 billion—and that does not even include Japan. Will the Minister take this opportunity to correct the record and confirm that the vast majority of trade is not covered by these deals, and in fact they cover slightly less than half?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

I think the hon. Gentleman is getting confused between the number of deals and the amount of trade that they cover. We have covered over 70% of the continuity trade, but some of those countries are smaller than others and have smaller amounts of trade.

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