Trade Deals Human Rights Clauses 2021-02-25
2021-02-25
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern over the inclusion of human rights clauses in future UK trade agreements with partners.
What recent discussions has she had with UK trade partners on inserting clauses on human rights in future trade deals?
The United Kingdom promotes her values globally. Our approach to agreements varies between partners, but we will always open discussions on issues, including rights and responsibilities. We are clear that more trade does not have to come at the expense of our values.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific recent discussions with UK trade partners were not detailed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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The Lords have amended an earlier version of the genocide amendment to allow judges to decide whether genocide has been committed, while retaining the objective.
Will the Minister finally agree to accept the will of Parliament and back this historic amendment after the Lords accommodated her objections in its latest iteration?
We supported a previous amendment on principle for formal parliamentary process leading to guaranteed debate but the latest amendment is unacceptable as it seeks constitutional reform by back door, impinging proper settlement and blurring distinctions between courts and Parliament.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to support or reject the amendment was not given.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Criticism over allowing arms sales to Saudi Arabia despite the killing of innocent people.
Does he accept that trust is fundamental on human rights under any Government, given their unhappy record on arms sales to Saudi Arabia? Why should anyone trust this Government?
I want all Members to trust this Government but I say gently that Labour's record on human rights, including enabling antisemitism and turning a blind eye to Venezuela, is hypocritical. We will not be lectured by the Opposition.
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Assessment & feedback
Discussion of Labour's record instead of addressing trust in upholding human rights.
Criticism Of Opposition
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Export licensing statistics published last month showed sales of £1.36 billion worth of bombs and missiles to Saudi between July and September 2020.
Can I clarify that we should judge the Government on the recent export licensing statistics which show significant arms sales to Saudi despite human rights issues in Yemen?
We have a rigorous arms export control system and no arms will be exported that are inconsistent with consolidated criteria introduced in 2014.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific alignment between actions and words on human rights was not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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The UN said that Saudi airstrikes in Yemen led to a consistent pattern of harm to civilians, unlike UK Government's view.
Can the Minister explain how his Department looked at the same evidence as the UN and reached an entirely different conclusion regarding legality of arms exports?
We rely on information from across Government, NGOs, and elsewhere, ensuring all evidence is considered before any arms are exported.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific difference in conclusions was not clarified.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Grave human rights abuses continue in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
Will the Minister ensure that any trade deal signed with India includes firm commitments to ending human rights abuses and holding a free plebiscite as agreed by UN?
I welcome the hon. Gentleman's passion for this issue but question where is the passion for jobs, exports and investment from Labour who are against deals with democracies like Israel and cosies up to regimes such as Venezuela.
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Assessment & feedback
Discussion on trade deals with India was not addressed.
Criticism Of Opposition
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Q7
Partial Answer
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The US Senate suspended its trade deal with Cameroon due to President Biya's human rights record, while UK's deal is yet unpublished.
When will Parliament see the UK's trade deal with Cameroon and can he guarantee a Government time debate on it?
I welcome the shadow Minister's interest in our trade agreement with Cameroon which benefits both countries to the tune of £177 million-worth of bilateral trade but the British people heard today six questions from Labour and not one on jobs.
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Assessment & feedback
Discussion on UK-Cameroon deal was not addressed.
Criticism Of Opposition
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Q8
Partial Answer
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A constituent's company, Poco Nido, employs four people and has not had any shipments reach the EU since December. The owner claims customs delays of three weeks have caused significant disruption, threatening to destroy her 10-year-old business within a month.
Since the end of December, my constituent's company, Poco Nido, has faced severe customs delays in getting goods through to the EU. Shipments are stuck for three weeks and the whole system is collapsing. The business will be destroyed within a month unless action is taken. When will the Minister ensure that the Brexit deal promised by the Government is actually delivered in practice?
The Minister for exports is working to make sure British businesses can export to the world, including the EU. We have covered deals with 64 countries, plus the EU, protecting trade worth £889 billion. While we want more trade with the EU, our focus in this Department is also on trading with the world.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific details about addressing customs delays for small businesses like Poco Nido were not provided
Focused In This Department On Trading With The World
Response accuracy