Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

EU Trade Negotiations

Wednesday 14 October 2020 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Welsh Ministers on EU negotiations.
  • The Joint Ministerial Committee on EU negotiations meets regularly to discuss trade deals.
  • The Secretary of State denied accusations of withholding key information from the devolved Administrations.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Linden SNP
Brexit Business & Trade Local Government
Context

The MP inquires about discussions between the UK government and devolved administrations on ongoing EU trade negotiations.

Question

What recent discussions has the Secretary of State had with the devolved Administrations on UK trade negotiations with the EU?

Answer from Simon Hart

I have regular discussions with Welsh Ministers on a range of issues, including EU negotiations. The Joint Ministerial Committee on EU negotiations meets regularly. My Cabinet and ministerial colleagues frequently meet Ministers from the devolved Administrations.

Answered
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Q2 David Linden SNP
Brexit Local Government
Context

The MP raises concerns that the devolved administrations have been excluded from key information in ongoing UK-EU trade negotiations.

Question

Tomorrow is the day the Prime Minister has set as the deadline for a trade deal with the EU. So far, the devolved Administrations have been left out of the loop or deliberately kept in the dark on some details. Does the Secretary of State believe that withholding key information and detail at such a stage shows respect or disrespect to the devolved Administrations?

Answer from Simon Hart

I do not recognise the hon. Gentleman's accusation. Given the number of meetings I have personally been in with Ministers from the devolved nations, let alone other colleagues, it would be a difficult charge to land to suggest that they have not been closely involved with the process right from the beginning.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific accusation about withholding information was avoided by stating the meetings have been happening regularly without addressing whether this addresses the question of withholding key details.

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Q3 Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Wales Brexit Local Government
Context

The MP criticises the UK government for concealing information from the Welsh Government regarding food shortages and power grabs, questioning the respect shown to devolved administrations.

Question

Last week, it was revealed that the Secretary of State's Government have actively sought to conceal information from the Welsh Government. This included the likelihood of food shortages and their intention to grab new powers. That does not sound like inter- governmental parity of esteem. Where does his role to represent the Tory party in Wales stop and his role to build trust and mutual respect start?

Answer from Simon Hart

The first responsibility in this particular context is to respect the fact that 55% of people in Wales voted to leave the European Union, and it seems astonishing that the party of Wales, represented by the right hon. Lady, is still so out of step with the people of Wales when it comes to that.

Not addressed: The specific issue about concealing information was not addressed; instead, the answer focused on the political context of voting patterns in Wales.

How: Changing Subject

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Q4 Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Economy Wales
Context

The MP raises concerns about trust in the UK government to support Welsh-specific covid-19 control measures, citing potential circuit-break announcements.

Question

Trust in politicians is sadly diminishing, because politicians are not seen to answer the question at hand. Back to the matter of trust, transmission rates indicate that Wales stands on the brink of a circuit-break announcement. Businesses in Wales, and people who need to self-isolate, seek assurance that they can trust the Treasury to back up covid-19 control measures made in Wales for Wales. Can the Secretary of State guarantee to the people of Wales that they can, indeed, trust the Government to do this?

Answer from Simon Hart

Having seen the Chancellor ensure that the Welsh Government have had £4.4 billion-worth of UK taxpayers' money for exactly that purpose, I hope the right hon. Lady would share my view that we are looking at the UK in the round.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for a guarantee was not fully addressed; instead, the answer provided general assurances without explicit commitment.

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