Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

EU Trade Negotiations

Wednesday 18 November 2020 · 3 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Secretary of State for Wales and ministerial colleagues have regular discussions on EU trade negotiations.
  • The Government is working to ensure a full trade deal with the EU and has offered substantial support to industries affected by issues like COVID.
  • No specific concrete steps were mentioned for developing the capacity of the Joint Ministerial Committee to foster greater trust and transparency.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Deidre Brock SNP
Wales Brexit
Context

There are ongoing discussions and negotiations between the UK government and devolved governments regarding trade with the EU.

Question

What recent discussions has the Secretary of State for Wales had with Cabinet colleagues and representatives of the devolved Governments on trade negotiations with the EU?

Answer from David Davies

The Secretary of State for Wales and I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues and Welsh Ministers on a range of issues, including EU trade negotiations. The Joint Ministerial Committee on EU negotiations meets regularly, and my ministerial colleagues frequently discuss the EU trade negotiations with Ministers from all the devolved Administrations.

Answered
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Q2 Deidre Brock SNP
Brexit Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs made a controversial statement suggesting sheep farmers switch to beef due to higher tariffs, which has been widely criticized.

Question

Given the comments by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that sheep farmers should just switch over to beef in the face of higher tariffs, what confidence can hill farmers have that the British Government has their interests at heart when it comes to EU trade negotiations?

Answer from David Davies

This Government are working very hard indeed to ensure that we get a full trade deal with the European Union. We have shown over and again how much support they will give to any industry that gets into trouble as a result of covid or other issues. The UK government has already offered substantial support during the pandemic.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific confidence in farmers' interests was not addressed directly, focusing instead on general trade deals and historical voting patterns.

How: Voting Record, Past Decisions

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Q3 Ben Lake PC Ceredigion Preseli
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Parliamentary Procedure Local Government
Context

The conduct of reserved matters such as trade can have significant implications for devolved competences, including agriculture.

Question

Given the impact of reserved matters on devolved competences like agriculture, what concrete steps are the Government taking to develop the capacity of the Joint Ministerial Committee so that it fosters greater trust and transparency among the four nations?

Answer from David Davies

I support devolution and will respect the choice made in referendums. I welcome closer co-operation between the UK and Welsh Governments over important issues such as agriculture, suggesting a commitment to fostering better relations but without specific concrete steps mentioned.

Not addressed: Concrete steps for improving capacity of Joint Ministerial Committee were not provided.

How: Personal Stance On Devolution, Historic Referendums

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