Trade Agreements SMEs 2021-06-10
2021-06-10
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asked about ensuring trade agreements provide a level playing field for small and medium-sized enterprises.
What steps she is taking to ensure that trade agreements provide a level playing field for SMEs?
Employing 17 million people and generating £2.3 trillion in turnover, small and medium-sized enterprises are vital to increasing UK trade. That is why we are continuing to seek SME chapters and SME-friendly provisions throughout all our free trade agreements.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps not detailed, only mentions seeking SME chapters and friendly provisions
Seeking Sme Chapters
Sme-Friendly Provisions
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of a trade deal with Australia on small and medium-sized farms, referencing promises made by the Minister in November 2020.
Small and medium-sized farms across the country are worried that this weekend's agreement with Australia will undermine their business. Last November, the Minister promised an active role for NFUs to assess trade agreements going forward and advanced protection of farming interests. Does he stand by those statements today?
I thank the right hon. Lady for those questions and I absolutely stand by that. We are involving NFUs from all four nations; I have met NFU Scotland's Martin Kennedy twice in recent weeks. We are confident that the new trade and agriculture commission will be up and running in good time for it to conduct its statutory review of the Australia free trade agreement.
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Assessment & feedback
No concrete timeline or details provided for TAC's operation
Confident That Tac Will Operate
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP questions the Government's confidence in the trade and agriculture commission's ability to protect farmers' interests as promised.
I thank the Minister for that answer but the British farming industry knows the truth: the trade and agriculture commission it was promised is not what they were advertised. The question to the Minister of State is simply this: why? What are the Government so scared of?
We—myself, the Secretary of State and the whole of the Department for International Trade—listen very carefully to British farmers. The Secretary of State opened expressions of interest to become members of the trade and agriculture commission just this week. Its role will be as debated and approved during the passage of the Trade Act 2021 and the Agriculture Act 2020.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address why TAC does not match expectations, changed to opening expressions of interest
Listening Carefully
Opened Expressions Of Interest
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlights the negative impact of Brexit and a potential deal with Australia on the Scotch whisky industry, citing specific examples.
SMEs make up the backbone of the Scotch whisky industry. Speyside Distillery reports sales are down since Brexit due to increased costs for glass, cardboard, shipping delays, and extra paperwork. What additional support and compensation will the Government pay distilleries like Speyside?
I remind SNP Members that Scotch whisky currently faces tariffs going into Australia; it is one of Scotch whisky's most important markets. In terms of trade volumes with the EU, we are continuing to see a recovery in data, with a 46% increase in exports in February and a further 9% increase in March.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address additional support or compensation for distilleries
Reminded About Tariffs
Recovered Trade Volumes
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP criticizes the Government for ignoring Scotland's needs in its Brexit and trade policies, highlighting concerns over fishing rights and animal welfare standards.
They just do not care about Scottish businesses. The SNP has never supported Westminster's trade policy because Scotland's needs are always ignored. Is the Minister aware that they are being found out in Scotland?
I am not sure that the hon. Gentleman has been listening carefully enough to what I have been saying about the SNP and trade deals. The SNP has rejected all trade deals negotiated by the UK, including those with Canada, South Africa, Japan, and Singapore.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address awareness of sentiment in Scotland
Not Listening Carefully
Rejection Of Trade Deals
Response accuracy