Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Trade with Commonwealth Countries

Thursday 7 March 2024 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Andrew Rosindell asked the Minister about expanding trading relations with the Commonwealth.
  • Jim Shannon noted that UK exports to the Commonwealth increased by 23% in cash terms between 2021 and 2022.
  • The Minister highlighted the economic benefits of free trade agreements for Northern Ireland and the Commonwealth.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Business & Trade
Context

The question is prompted by the upcoming Commonwealth day celebrations and a desire to expand trade relations.

Question

Mr Speaker, I know that you will be celebrating Commonwealth day on Monday with the raising of the Commonwealth flag. Will the Minister take this opportunity to expand our trading relations with the Commonwealth and look at the idea of an opt-in, opt-out WTO-style organisation involving all Commonwealth countries? Surely this is a great opportunity to expand our trade with some of the world's emerging economic powerhouses.

Answer from Greg Hands

I thank my hon. Friend for that question and his commitment to the Commonwealth. As a constituency MP with a huge Commonwealth diaspora in Chelsea and Fulham, I totally understand his sympathies and look forward to celebrating Commonwealth day with him and others next week. He knows that the Commonwealth does not make trade rules, nor is it a trade agreement body like the Gulf Co-operation Council, the European Free Trade Association or the CPTPP. We think that the better course at present is to ratify our CPTPP membership and continue to have reduced tariffs under our developing countries trading scheme. However, we are always open to new ideas at the Department for Business and Trade and I am happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss this further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to establishing a WTO-style organisation for Commonwealth countries

How: We Are Open To New Ideas, Happy To Meet And Discuss

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Q2 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

There has been a significant increase in UK exports to the Commonwealth, with Northern Ireland benefiting from free trade agreements.

Question

I thank the Minister very much for a positive response. The Commonwealth is important for all of us. The value of UK exports to the Commonwealth increased by 23% in cash terms between 2021 and 2022, while the value of imports from the Commonwealth increased by some 30%. We can clearly benefit each other. How can we ensure that Northern Ireland companies benefit fully from this enhanced trading partnership?

Answer from Greg Hands

Of course, Northern Ireland benefits from all our free trade agreements. I very much look forward to putting the case for Northern Irish goods and services in the months ahead. We have economic partnership agreements with 27 Commonwealth countries. We also have the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in October to look forward to, where we can ensure that the export of Northern Irish goods and services, as well as those from the whole of the UK, takes centre stage.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify concrete steps for ensuring full participation and benefits for Northern Ireland companies

How: Looking Forward To Putting The Case, Putting Exports On The Agenda

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