Topical Questions 2021-12-02

2021-12-02

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Lee Anderson Reform
Ashfield
Context
Boneham & Turner in Ashfield exports to the US and is looking for a trade deal.
Boneham & Turner in Ashfield has been around for more than 100 years and, post Brexit, it is thriving, like many other businesses in Ashfield. Its boss, Charlie Boneham, tells me that the US is a big part of its business. Will my right hon. Friend please advise me on where we are with a possible trade deal with the US?
The US is currently reviewing progress on all the free trade agreement negotiations under the previous Administration. We welcome the opportunity to feed into that review. We have always been clear that a good deal is better than a quick deal, and we are here when the US is ready to continue those discussions. A deal with the US will benefit not just manufacturers like Boneham & Turner in my hon. Friend's constituency but the other 30,000 small and medium-sized enterprises that also export goods to the US by removing tariffs, simplifying customs procedures and therefore making it easier to export. We already have £200 billion of bilateral trade with the US, and we continue to encourage those businesses that want to do more to come to the export support service, which the Under-Secretary of State for International Trade, my hon. Friend the Member for Finchley and Golders Green (Mike Freer), discussed earlier, to ensure they have all the tools they need to maximise their trade with the USA.
Assessment & feedback
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Q2 Partial Answer
Gareth Thomas Lab Co-op
Harrow West
Context
The omicron variant highlights the need for vaccine distribution to developing nations.
The emergence of the omicron variant surely underlines that, if we are to protect our citizens from covid, we need to help to accelerate vaccination programmes in developing countries. With Norway the latest country to agree that, in these exceptional circumstances, a temporary waiver on patent rules to help boost vaccine production is needed, why is the Secretary of State so intent on blocking any progress on such a deal?
We have been world leading throughout the pandemic in our negotiations with AstraZeneca on ensuring that vaccines are produced at cost. When I was Secretary of State for International Development, I made sure we invested in COVAX so that we led the way and brought other countries forward to ensure that as much vaccine as can be made gets to those who need it the most. Countries are continuing to work with the smallest and most vulnerable developing countries so they get the vaccines they need. We continue to have discussions on a waiver to the World Trade Organisation agreement on trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights, although those discussions were postponed this week due to the complexity of omicron and movement. We will pick up those discussions in the new year.
Assessment & feedback
Specifics on why blocking progress on waiving patents
Response accuracy
Q3 Direct Answer
Context
The questioner arranged a digital course to train and upskill service sector businesses.
Earlier this year, in partnership with Google, I arranged a digital course to train and upskill service sector businesses across Rother Valley. Will my right hon. Friend set out how our trade deals, including the recently announced New Zealand trade deal, support the service sector, 70% of which is based outside London and some of which is based in Rother Valley?
I thank my hon. Friend for what he is doing to improve digital skills in his constituency. In 2019, 40% of service exports to New Zealand were delivered digitally. Under the New Zealand deal, service exporters, particularly those in his constituency and region, will benefit from more opportunities to deliver services through digital trade. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, in her topical statement, referred to the Department's focus on digital trade, which is vital for the future.
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Q4 Partial Answer
Context
The National Farmers Union Scotland expresses concerns about the Australian trade deal.
National Farmers Union Scotland says the Australian trade deal is “a slow journey to the Australians getting unfettered access to UK markets and with no guarantees that the promises of other safeguards will address the fact that very different production systems are permitted in Australia”. When was the last time the Department involved officials from the Scottish Government and Scottish farming representatives in the negotiation of future free trade deals?
We engage with officials from the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Government all the time, and we look forward to continuing that.
Assessment & feedback
Last specific instance of involvement
Response accuracy
Q5 Direct Answer
Context
DP World London Gateway container port has plans to expand.
I was recently fortunate enough to visit the DP World London Gateway container port in my constituency to hear about its exciting plans—its commitment to the construction of a fourth berth, and its ambition to become the largest container port in the UK and to use the opportunities that freeport status brings. Will the Minister update the House on what the Department is doing to support freeports and promote UK exporters?
Freeports will be national hubs for trade and investment. They will regenerate communities, attract new businesses, and create jobs and opportunities across our country. As they move towards implementation, my Department is working closely with each freeport, including London Gateway, to help pull new investment in and to support exporters to seize the advantages that freeports will bring them.
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Q6 Partial Answer
Rachael Maskell Lab Co-op
York Central
Context
The release of the Xinjiang papers highlights human rights issues in China.
Last weekend, we saw the release of the Xinjiang papers, highlighting how human rights atrocities go right to the heart of the Chinese Government. As a result, I want to ask what steps is the Minister taking to review our trading relationship with China, because it cannot be business as usual?
China remains, of course, an important trading partner for Britain, but we have no plans to negotiate a trade deal with China. We will build trade only where it supports British businesses and jobs. We will seek to reduce barriers to accessing the Chinese market, but I can assure the hon. Lady that our approach to China will always be rooted in British values and British interests. We want a positive and constructive relationship with China, but I can assure her that we will not sacrifice our values in doing this.
Assessment & feedback
Specific steps being taken for review
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Context
The UK is a global leader in offshore wind energy, with 50% of the nation's wind farms located off the East Anglian coast. The area has developed world-class knowledge and skills.
With the exponential growth in offshore wind, including off the East Anglian coast, where 50% of the UK's wind farms are located, world-class knowledge and skills have developed and the UK is now a global leader. Will my right hon. Friend outline the steps that are taken in negotiating trade deals to both promote this expertise abroad and attract inward investment into the UK offshore wind sector?
I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting that trade in itself is a force for good in the world, as well as having environmental chapters in trade deals. One example of that is our free trade agreement with New Zealand, which will include the most comprehensive environmental list of goods with liberalised tariffs in a free trade agreement to date. He is right to point to the technology being developed in the UK, which can provide solutions for nations around the world, whether they are developed or developing nations, to meet net zero.
Assessment & feedback
Did not outline specific steps taken in negotiating trade deals to promote offshore wind expertise abroad and attract inward investment. Mentioned environmental chapters but no specifics on UK's initiatives for the sector.
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Context
There is a possibility of Channel 4 being relocated from Leeds to another global player, which would be detrimental to the 'levelling up' agenda. The BBC is based in Salford.
The Secretary of State has a long history of being a supporter of the creative industries and I know that, like me, she will be concerned about the possibility of Channel 4 being lost to Leeds if it is taken over by a global player and taken away—I hope she is concerned about that. We have the BBC in Salford and Channel 4 in Leeds, so does she agree that levelling up would be deeply damaged if we were to lose Channel 4 from Leeds?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising this important issue. The points he makes are well understood. We often talk about the BBC and soft power, influence and all it brings, but Channel 4 has also done some incredible things, particularly in the disability space, during the Paralympic games in 2012 and since. His points have been well made. This is a matter for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, but I am sure those in that Department will have heard him.
Assessment & feedback
Acknowledged the importance of the issue but did not directly answer whether losing Channel 4 would damage levelling up. Redirected to DCMS without clear commitment.
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Context
The questioner is interested in establishing a free trade agreement between the UK and Pakistan, particularly focusing on the Kashmir region.
Will my right hon. Friend update the House on what steps are being taken to establish a free trade agreement with our historical ally Pakistan, and specifically to encourage trade between our country and the Kashmir region?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his consistent interest in this area, and I value the conversations we have had on this matter. In the four quarters to Q2 this year, we have had £2.6 billion-worth of trade with Pakistan, and I am pleased to confirm to him that we already offer Pakistan the enhanced framework in the generalised scheme of preferences, which ensures that it has more generous access to the British market than others do today. He will also know, and the House will want to be aware, that between July and September this year we ran a consultation on our proposed new developing countries trading scheme. This is a statement of our intent: the British Government want to take a more ambitious, more generous, more pro-growth approach to trading with developing nations. Our new scheme will mean more opportunities and less bureaucracy—
Assessment & feedback
Discussed trade statistics and schemes but did not address specific steps for the Kashmir region or Pakistan FTA.
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Context
The UK has a ring-fenced pot for tidal stream energy development. The questioner seeks the development of an export strategy to capitalize on this expertise.
I thank the Secretary of State for the support that she has given in the past to the development of tidal stream renewable energy generation. Now that we have the very welcome ring-fenced pot for tidal stream energy, will she charge her Department with the development of a strategy to ensure that we can export that expertise as we move towards commercialisation?
The right hon. Gentleman will be as pleased as I am to see that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Treasury were able to find a way to make sure that the contract for difference, now published, will be able to provide that ring-fenced support for tidal stream. As he knows, I visited earlier in the year to see the work for myself and to talk to those who have been developing this technology. As part of the work that the Department for International Trade will be doing on green trade across the world, we want to ensure that, as that potentially becomes commercially viable, such firms are absolutely at the forefront of the package of tools that other countries will also be able to use to help them to decarbonise their energy sectors. We will work very closely with those firms. The Under-Secretary of State for International Trade, my hon. Friend the Member for Finchley and Golders Green, who is overseeing the export service, will make sure that they are included and supported as they think about where those markets might be.
Assessment & feedback
Acknowledged support but did not commit to developing a specific strategy for exporting tidal stream expertise. Mentioned ongoing efforts in green trade without specifics on the export strategy.
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
David Mundell Con
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Context
The UK seeks a deal to reduce punitive tariffs on Scotch whisky in the Indian market. The questioner highlights this as a top priority for the industry.
Will the Secretary of State update the House on trade discussions with India? She will know that any reduction in the punitive tariffs that apply to Scotch whisky would be an enormous boost for the industry.
I commend my right hon. Friend for his endeavours in making sure that Scotch whisky can be enjoyed by more people more reasonably all around the world. Britain wants a deal that slashes barriers to doing business and trading with India's £2 trillion economy and its 1.4 billion-strong population, and Scotch whisky is at the top of our agenda.
Assessment & feedback
Emphasized importance but did not provide specific updates or commitments on reducing tariffs for Scotch whisky in trade discussions with India.
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Context
The UK will start applying new import controls to goods from the EU in a few weeks. Previously, small and medium-sized exporters in Scotland faced challenges.
I could never have thought that I was about to be called, Madam Deputy Speaker. In a few weeks' time, the United Kingdom will start to apply import controls to goods coming from the European Union. Last year, when the European Union started to apply its controls, a large number of small and medium-sized exporters, particularly in the Scottish food and drink industry, felt that they were simply left to sink or swim. What assurances can the Government give that small import businesses in Scotland will not be hung out to dry next year in the way that small exporters in Scotland were left hung out to dry last year?
I encourage the hon. Gentleman, if he has not already done so, to put businesses in his constituency in touch with our Department. The export support service runs alongside the trader support service—indeed they are joined up organisations—and we are there to provide bespoke support to businesses, to help them work through some of the challenges with new paperwork and so forth, and to give them the information they need to make business planning decisions. I encourage him to put those businesses in touch with us directly, and we will support them.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide concrete assurances but encouraged contacting Department for support without specific guarantees or actions.
Response accuracy
Q13 Direct Answer
Context
Exports from Blackpool's famous rock candy are growing yearly. The local economy relies on this product.
Exports of our world-famous rock candy from Blackpool are increasing year-on-year. Will the Minister meet me to discuss how we can boost these exports around the globe?
I am more than happy to ensure that my hon. Friend is put in contact with our export support scheme, our international trade advisers, our export champions, and our Export Academy to ensure that the world-famous rock continues to be sold across the world.
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Q14 Partial Answer
Context
Imports from Ireland to GB increased by 20% in the first six months of 2021, while exports declined.
With a post-Brexit trade imbalance, where imports from Ireland have risen and GB exports to Ireland dropped by over £2.5 billion, does not the Minister acknowledge that Brexit is detrimental for GB?
From figures mentioned earlier, the situation has improved for Scottish businesses. The bulk of disruption was due to the pandemic. We are coming out of this and would like a constructive dialogue with the SNP to support their constituents' businesses.
Assessment & feedback
The specific question about trade imbalance was not directly addressed, focusing instead on post-pandemic recovery.
Under Review Constructive Dialogue
Response accuracy
Q15 Direct Answer
Mike Wood Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Context
Big trade agreements are publicized, but removing smaller trade barriers also creates opportunities.
What progress is being made to remove global trade barriers that restrict British goods and services?
This year, there has been a 20% increase in the number of barriers broken down, benefiting businesses across the UK. We look forward to continuing this work to generate more jobs.
Assessment & feedback
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Q16 Partial Answer
Context
COP26 was crucial for climate commitments, but environmental impacts must be addressed in all policies.
What steps are the Government taking to ensure that the environmental impact of imports and exports is mitigated?
UK leadership through COP26 has been world respected. The Department for International Trade will ensure that UK-developed technologies will be at the forefront in helping every part of the world meet its decarbonisation challenge.
Assessment & feedback
The specific question about mitigating environmental impacts was not directly addressed, focusing instead on technology leadership.
Under Review World Respected
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Q17 Partial Answer
Jim Shannon DUP
Strangford
Context
Refugees need to be placed in suitable employment, especially in the agrifood sector with existing vacancies.
What discussions have taken place to place Afghan refugees in work within my constituency's agrifood sector?
I would be happy for the relevant Departments to give more details. Every Department is focused on ensuring that skills of those coming here are utilised, and FCDO will write to the hon. Gentleman.
Assessment & feedback
The specific question about placing refugees in work was not directly addressed, focusing instead on utilising their skills and providing support.
Under Review Utilising Skills
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Q18 Partial Answer
Context
Support for Fairtrade products has been growing among British people, including bananas, coffee, and chocolate.
Will the Minister continue to prioritize fair trade in new trade deals so that we can support Fairtrade producers around the world?
Now that we are a sovereign independent nation, we want to ensure that we use trade for good. Next year, we will work closely with African colleagues to boost trading relations and support developing countries.
Assessment & feedback
The specific question about prioritizing fair trade was not directly addressed, focusing instead on boosting trading relations with Africa.
Under Review Boosting Relations
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Context
A report in the Financial Times suggests that America may lift its steel tariffs if the UK violates article 16. This has prompted concerns about US control over UK trade.
I wonder what the Minister makes of the report in the Financial Times that far less than a trade deal, America will lift its steel tariffs if the UK violates article 16. Does she welcome America keeping control?
That story might be true in terms of how some people in the United States feel, but it is a false narrative. These are two entirely separate issues. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be discussing the issue of steel and other matters next week with her opposite numbers in the United States, but we not do ourselves any favours if we perpetuate these false narratives. They are entirely separate issues. I again encourage the hon. Gentleman and his party to start talking about what the UK has done to protect peace on the island of Ireland, and our reasonable request to the EU. He might also like to talk to his American friends about what the EU has done to disrupt that, including triggering article 16 on the most sensitive of goods—vaccines. We have acted in good faith. We will do more to tell America that we have acted in good faith and are determined to be pragmatic, and Lord Frost is going to do that.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about welcoming American control over steel tariffs was not directly addressed.
False Narratives Separate Issues
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