Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Overseas Commercial Interests

Tuesday 15 June 2021 · 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Prime Minister has announced a free trade agreement with Australia.
  • The agreement will bring opportunities for British businesses across the UK.
  • The Minister will ensure embassies promote English wine, especially sparkling wines.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Griffith Con Arundel and South Downs
Foreign Affairs Business & Trade
Context

The question arises in the context of the Prime Minister announcing a free trade agreement with Australia which is expected to benefit British businesses.

Question

What diplomatic steps are being taken to advance the commercial interests of the UK overseas, given that the Prime Minister has announced a free trade agreement with Australia?

Answer from Nigel Adams

My hon. Friend asks a very timely question, as the Prime Minister has today announced a free trade agreement with Australia, which will bring fantastic opportunities for British businesses from all over the United Kingdom. The FCDO has co-ordinated the transition of 150 key international agreements in which the UK previously participated as a member of the EU, including supporting the Department for International Trade to agree bilateral trade agreements with 67 non-EU countries, plus the European Union.

Answered
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Q2 Andrew Griffith Con Arundel and South Downs
Business & Trade
Context

English Wine Week is approaching, prompting the questioner to seek assurances that embassies and high commissions will promote English wine.

Question

Ahead of English Wine Week next week, would the Minister give me his personal assurance that he will do everything in his power to ensure that our embassies and our high commissions around the world do all they can to promote and showcase this growing and successful English product?

Answer from Nigel Adams

I could not agree more, and I know my hon. Friend and I do our best to support this fantastic industry. The quality of our sparkling wines in particular are superb, not least those from north Yorkshire vineyards, including the Yorkshire Heart vineyard in Nun Monkton and the Dunesforde vineyard in Upper Dunsforth. There should be no excuse for our embassies, high commissions, and consulates not stocking British projects, including our wines. I am sure all our ambassadors and high commissioners are watching, so I would ask them to make sure that their cellars are stocked up with British produce, including our fantastic British wines.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific personal assurance not provided; instead general support stated without concrete actions or timelines

How: There Should Be No Excuse For Our Embassies, High Commissions And Consulates Not Stocking British Projects, I Am Sure All Our Ambassadors And High Commissioners Are Watching

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