Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Free Trade Agreement: India

Thursday 20 January 2022 · 5 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister visited India to launch negotiations for an ambitious free trade deal.
  • Government aims to reach an agreement by the end of the year.
  • UK will propose reducing tariffs on Scotch whisky exports in the first round of negotiations.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Business & Trade
Context

The MP seeks to understand progress on a free trade deal with India, a market of over a billion consumers.

Question

What progress has been made on a free trade agreement with India. India is one of the world's biggest and fastest-growing economies and is home to more than a billion consumers.

Answer from Anne-Marie Trevelyan

I visited India last week to launch negotiations with my counterpart, Minister Goyal, for an ambitious free trade deal. We are aiming for a broad and ambitious deal that delivers benefits for people across all four nations of the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on progress or timeline were not provided

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Immigration Business & Trade
Context

Press reports indicate that the Home Secretary opposes generous visa terms for Indian citizens in a UK-India trade agreement.

Question

The Government's negotiating position on visa concessions and red lines will be clarified. Recent press reports suggest the Home Secretary would oppose such terms, while the Secretary of State has been willing to consider them.

Answer from Anne-Marie Trevelyan

From services and digital to investment and intellectual property, we are aiming for a broad and ambitious deal. We hope to reach an agreement by the end of this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifics on visa concessions or red lines were not provided

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Drew Hendry SNP
Business & Trade
Context

Scotch whisky exports to India have declined due to high tariffs, and the UK can no longer deflect responsibility since leaving the EU.

Question

The Government will confirm if removing tariffs on Scotch whisky exports to India is a priority. The industry has been waiting for measures from the Government.

Answer from Anne-Marie Trevelyan

The UK will put forward our position on reducing tariffs in the first round of negotiations. We aim to achieve a successful, mutually beneficial FTA.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific targets for tariff reduction were not provided

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Drew Hendry SNP
Business & Trade
Context

The industry awaits clear measures from the Government on reducing tariffs impacting Scotch whisky exports to India.

Question

What target has been set for reducing tariffs on Scotch whisky? Will it be half, more than half or complete removal?

Answer from Anne-Marie Trevelyan

It is important that the trade deal is mutually beneficial and includes reducing barriers such as tariffs. The hon. Gentleman would be surprised if I were to disclose details at this point.

Not addressed: Specific targets for tariff reduction were not disclosed

How: Would Be Surprised

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q5 Philip Hollobone Con
Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about the number of negotiators available to work on a UK-India FTA, given previous losses from EU.

Question

How many free trade negotiators does my right hon. Friend have in her Department? Are there enough or do we need more?

Answer from Anne-Marie Trevelyan

We have a fantastic team of experienced negotiators, including those who worked on the Australia free trade deal. We will continue to negotiate virtually or face-to-face as required.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific number of negotiators was not provided

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)