Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Trade Deals: Human Rights Clauses

Thursday 25 February 2021 · 8 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The United Kingdom promotes its values globally and discusses issues including rights and responsibilities with trade partners.
  • The UK government opposes a latest amendment as it seeks constitutional reform by back door, impinging proper settlement.
  • The government emphasizes a rigorous arms export control system that adheres to consolidated criteria introduced in 2014.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Imran Hussain Lab Bradford East
Business & Trade
Context

Concern over the inclusion of human rights clauses in future UK trade agreements with partners.

Question

What recent discussions has she had with UK trade partners on inserting clauses on human rights in future trade deals?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

The United Kingdom promotes her values globally. Our approach to agreements varies between partners, but we will always open discussions on issues, including rights and responsibilities. We are clear that more trade does not have to come at the expense of our values.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific recent discussions with UK trade partners were not detailed.

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Q2 Emma Hardy Lab Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Democracy & Elections
Context

The Lords have amended an earlier version of the genocide amendment to allow judges to decide whether genocide has been committed, while retaining the objective.

Question

Will the Minister finally agree to accept the will of Parliament and back this historic amendment after the Lords accommodated her objections in its latest iteration?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

We supported a previous amendment on principle for formal parliamentary process leading to guaranteed debate but the latest amendment is unacceptable as it seeks constitutional reform by back door, impinging proper settlement and blurring distinctions between courts and Parliament.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to support or reject the amendment was not given.

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Q3 Tony Lloyd Lab
Foreign Affairs Standards & Ethics
Context

Criticism over allowing arms sales to Saudi Arabia despite the killing of innocent people.

Question

Does he accept that trust is fundamental on human rights under any Government, given their unhappy record on arms sales to Saudi Arabia? Why should anyone trust this Government?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

I want all Members to trust this Government but I say gently that Labour's record on human rights, including enabling antisemitism and turning a blind eye to Venezuela, is hypocritical. We will not be lectured by the Opposition.

Not addressed: Discussion of Labour's record instead of addressing trust in upholding human rights.

How: Criticism Of Opposition

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Q4 Cat Smith Lab Lancaster and Wyre
Foreign Affairs Business & Trade
Context

Export licensing statistics published last month showed sales of £1.36 billion worth of bombs and missiles to Saudi between July and September 2020.

Question

Can I clarify that we should judge the Government on the recent export licensing statistics which show significant arms sales to Saudi despite human rights issues in Yemen?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

We have a rigorous arms export control system and no arms will be exported that are inconsistent with consolidated criteria introduced in 2014.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific alignment between actions and words on human rights was not addressed.

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Q5 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Foreign Affairs Business Compliance
Context

The UN said that Saudi airstrikes in Yemen led to a consistent pattern of harm to civilians, unlike UK Government's view.

Question

Can the Minister explain how his Department looked at the same evidence as the UN and reached an entirely different conclusion regarding legality of arms exports?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

We rely on information from across Government, NGOs, and elsewhere, ensuring all evidence is considered before any arms are exported.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific difference in conclusions was not clarified.

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Q6 Imran Hussain Lab Bradford East
Foreign Affairs Business & Trade
Context

Grave human rights abuses continue in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

Question

Will the Minister ensure that any trade deal signed with India includes firm commitments to ending human rights abuses and holding a free plebiscite as agreed by UN?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

I welcome the hon. Gentleman's passion for this issue but question where is the passion for jobs, exports and investment from Labour who are against deals with democracies like Israel and cosies up to regimes such as Venezuela.

Not addressed: Discussion on trade deals with India was not addressed.

How: Criticism Of Opposition

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Q7 Gareth Thomas Labour (Co-op) Harrow West
Business & Trade
Context

The US Senate suspended its trade deal with Cameroon due to President Biya's human rights record, while UK's deal is yet unpublished.

Question

When will Parliament see the UK's trade deal with Cameroon and can he guarantee a Government time debate on it?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

I welcome the shadow Minister's interest in our trade agreement with Cameroon which benefits both countries to the tune of £177 million-worth of bilateral trade but the British people heard today six questions from Labour and not one on jobs.

Not addressed: Discussion on UK-Cameroon deal was not addressed.

How: Criticism Of Opposition

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Q8 Clive Betts Lab Sheffield South East
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

A constituent's company, Poco Nido, employs four people and has not had any shipments reach the EU since December. The owner claims customs delays of three weeks have caused significant disruption, threatening to destroy her 10-year-old business within a month.

Question

Since the end of December, my constituent's company, Poco Nido, has faced severe customs delays in getting goods through to the EU. Shipments are stuck for three weeks and the whole system is collapsing. The business will be destroyed within a month unless action is taken. When will the Minister ensure that the Brexit deal promised by the Government is actually delivered in practice?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

The Minister for exports is working to make sure British businesses can export to the world, including the EU. We have covered deals with 64 countries, plus the EU, protecting trade worth £889 billion. While we want more trade with the EU, our focus in this Department is also on trading with the world.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about addressing customs delays for small businesses like Poco Nido were not provided

How: Focused In This Department On Trading With The World

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