Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Trade with the Indian Subcontinent

Thursday 3 September 2020 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mark Logan asked about steps to facilitate trade with the Indian subcontinent, highlighting challenges faced by UK companies like Vernacare due to high import duties.
  • Gareth Thomas noted that UK trade in goods with India increased by only 5% over the past five years, much lower than the rest of the G7.
  • The Minister responded positively to both questions, emphasizing the potential for increased bilateral trade and investment with India to benefit UK businesses.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Logan Con Bolton North East
Business & Trade
Context

The UK government is working to increase bilateral trade and investment with India.

Question

What steps is her Department taking to facilitate trade with the Indian subcontinent? Bolton-born company Vernacare has big international demand for its infection control products used in hospitals, but such companies face inflated import duties when trading. Exporting to India is proving cost-prohibitive for some businesses, so does he agree that through increasing co-operation with India we will be able to explore the reduction of import duties and thus bear a bountiful boost for businesses in Bolton?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena (Minister for Investment)

My hon. Friend is right to say that we can go much further, and increasing bilateral trade and investment with India will benefit both Indian and British businesses, and, of course, our peoples. Here at home this work will support businesses located in every corner of the country, including Vernacare, in his constituency. It is just one example of a company that my Department has worked with to achieve significant success in India already, including agreeing a five-year supply deal with Manipal, one of Asia's largest healthcare management groups

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Q2 Gareth Thomas Labour (Co-op) Harrow West
Business & Trade
Context

The UK has seen limited growth in its trade in goods with India compared to other G7 countries.

Question

Although the growth in trade, particularly in services, with India is good news, the UK's trade in goods with India increased by just 5% in the past five years, while the rest of the G7 all saw double-digit growth, with the US and France seeing increases of almost 40%. There is not a UK trade envoy with India, and the Select Committee thinks that visa restrictions are holding Britain back. Why does the Minister think other G7 countries are doing so much better on trade in goods with India?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena (Minister for Investment)

I am delighted that the hon. Gentleman has joined the party in welcoming the fact that we will take back control of our trade policy. We will now have the chance to shape our relationship with India, which we have not had in the past. This Government have already delivered value to British businesses worth £250 million a year, based on industry's own estimates, through unlocking exports of spirits, oats, pigs for breeding, poultry and lamb to India.

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