Topical Questions 2020-11-19

2020-11-19

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Greg Smith Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Context
The UK has announced continuing its trade preferences scheme for developing countries in 2021. The MP wants to know if there are plans beyond the continuity deal.
Given our focus on both health and economic recovery from the covid pandemic, can my right hon. Friend inform me about discussions with her Israeli counterpart to further trade co-operation beyond the continuity deal, especially considering Israel's innovative approaches to combating covid-19?
My hon. Friend is right. It is vital that we use trade as a way of motoring growth post this terrible covid crisis. We are working on negotiating a cat's cradle of trade deals around the world to support British business. Of course, Israel is one of those priorities. It is very advanced in areas such as data and digital. There is strong scope for a world-leading agreement, and we are in discussions about that.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify the timeline or details of further trade cooperation beyond continuity deal with Israel
Working On Negotiating
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Greg Smith Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Context
Concerns have been raised about the marginalisation of services sector interests during Brexit negotiations.
With the Secretary of State responsible for our trading relationship with European countries from 1 January, will she commit to securing mutual recognition of qualifications to enable crucial sectors like financial and legal services, engineers, and technicians to work across Europe?
I am committed to having a positive relationship with the European Union. I speak to my counterpart, Valdis Dombrovskis, about issues concerning global trade. Of course, we want with every part of the world good trade deals that uphold our standards and facilitate increased trade in areas such as services, data and digital, but the important principle is that we cannot do that at the expense of the UK's sovereignty. Those are the negotiations that are currently being conducted by Lord Frost.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to mutual recognition of qualifications
Important Principle
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Context
The UK is the only top 10 global exporter to increase exports last year.
I welcome all the work that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is doing for post-Brexit Britain. What assessment has she and her Department made of the advantages of our United Kingdom for exporters and inward investment in the devolved Administrations?
It is the reach, power and financial heft of this United Kingdom that has allowed us to be the only top 10 global exporter to increase exports last year and attracted more foreign direct investment than any other country in Europe. We seek to ensure that we use every part of the power of this United Kingdom to support jobs and investment in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific assessment or data on exporting and inward investment advantages for devolved Administrations
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Context
There is no change in the effect of existing EU trade deals when it comes to human rights.
Can the Minister tell us how many trade agreements due to take effect on 1 January 2021 contain explicit human rights clauses?
There is no change in the effect of the existing EU trade deals when it comes to human rights and the role there of the UK agreements. I would urge him to look at those agreements and study the reports that have been produced comparing the agreements with the original.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify number of trade agreements with explicit human rights clauses
No Change
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Bambos Charalambous Lab
Southgate and Wood Green
Context
The Minister is meeting the overseas territories on this subject next week.
May I ask my right hon. Friend for reassurance that our overseas territories will be fully factored into all future trade deals and continuity agreements?
I am meeting the overseas territories on this very subject next week. The Secretary of State met Fabian Picardo, the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, only last month on this. Getting our overseas territories participating in the UK independent trade agenda is very important. We recognise fully the constitutional responsibilities we have for the OTs and work closely with them to ensure that their interests are represented.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific reassurance about full factoring of overseas territories into future deals
Meeting Next Week
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Context
The Minister referred earlier to Welsh lamb being protected in Japan, but 50% of Welsh lamb goes to the European Union.
As tupping for next spring's flocks has already happened and average sheep pregnancy lasts 152 days, can the Minister reassure me that a deal will be secured so that Welsh lamb will not be priced out of its single biggest market across the whole of the European Union?
We are working very hard to secure a good deal with the European Union and negotiations are ongoing. However, it is important that our farmers have as many markets as possible. That is why we have worked hard to get the lamb market open in Japan in 2019, work hard to get lamb into the US, which is the second-largest importer of lamb in the world, and work hard to get more lamb into the middle east too.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide reassurance on securing a deal for Welsh lamb export to EU
Working Very Hard
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Chris Bryant Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Context
The Government are moving at full steam to secure trade deals around the world.
Could the Secretary of State reassure me that when negotiating these deals, we will focus not only on tariff barriers but on non-tariff barriers, which are incredibly important for our advanced manufacturers in Burnley?
My hon. Friend is correct. That is why we want to join trade areas such as the trans-Pacific partnership with very strong provisions reducing the level of bureaucracy required, and liberal rules of origin that help our manufacturers. We are also looking to negotiate with the United States. It is important that we get the advanced digital and data chapters that the EU was not prepared to sign up to but which provide so much value for advanced manufacturers in being able to sell their products around the world.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specifically commit to focusing on non-tariff barriers in all trade negotiations
Very Strong Provisions Look At Us
Response accuracy
Q8 Direct Answer
Context
Northern Irish farmers seek equal benefits from trade deals as the rest of the UK.
Can the Secretary of State assure me that the farming and agri sector in Northern Ireland can take part in and take the advantages of any trade deals that are made on the same terms and conditions as any other part of the United Kingdom?
I can absolutely assure the hon. Gentleman of that. I was delighted that the first cargo of British beef to leave for the United States of America for 24 years left from Northern Ireland.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Context
Interest from businesses to benefit from new trading agreements post-transition period.
Businesses in Morley and Outwood are keen to reap the rewards of our independent policy once we end the transition period. What is my right hon. Friend's assessment of the new regional comprehensive economic partnership, and how are the Government planning to extend Britain's influence in this specific region for the benefit of all small and medium-sized enterprises around the country?
We follow RCEP quite closely, but we are looking forward to making our application to join the comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-Pacific partnership, or TPP-11, trading group in the new year. This is an excellent trading group. Its 11 countries are a mix of like-minded western trading nations such as Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, as well as more developing nations such as Vietnam and Peru. There are great opportunities for all of us, including my hon. Friend's Morley and Outwood businesses.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific details on how the government plans to extend Britain's influence in this region or how small businesses will benefit directly.
General Principles Stated Without Concrete Details
Response accuracy
Q10 Direct Answer
Kerry McCarthy Lab
Bristol East
Context
Concerns about the impact of removing anti-dumping duties on UK bike manufacturers.
There are reports that the Government plan to remove anti-dumping duties on imported bicycles at the end of transition, leading to a flood of cheap imports from China, which would be devastating for UK bike manufacturers. Can the Minister tell me what proportion of the domestic market consists of bikes made in the UK and confirm that if it is more than 1%, anti-dumping duties should remain?
I thank the hon. Lady for that question, which is important, because we must apply anti-dumping measures in a clear and accurate way. The Department has assessed which of the existing anti-dumping trade remedies should be transitioned, and evidence has been provided by British producers of bicycles, which thus far has indicated that there are not sufficient British sales to transition the measure, but we will review any further information. That information would need to demonstrate that the British market share of British-based producers of the product in question was above 1%.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Context
Recognition and support for McMenon Engineering's expansion into the international market.
With the help of my right hon. Friend's Department, McMenon Engineering in my Workington constituency has recently opened a manufacturing facility in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Will she join me in paying tribute to its commitment to exporting Workington's talent and look to bring the Board of Trade to its Workington facility for a future meeting?
I thank my hon. Friend for his invitation to the Board of Trade. It is likely that our next meeting will be held in Northern Ireland, but I will certainly be looking to Workington for a future meeting to see the fantastic work being done in advanced manufacturing.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not commit to visiting McMenon Engineering's facility specifically.
General Principles Stated Without Concrete Details
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Context
Concern about UK's standing after the loss of the US presidential election.
Despite the right hon. Lady's bluster earlier, we all know that the Prime Minister's preferred candidate has decisively lost the US presidential election. Give that the Obama Administration's position was that Brexit would put the UK at the back of the queue for a US trade deal, where does she think the UK stands in that queue now?
Given that the Scottish National party voted for even fewer trade deals than the Labour party, and are even more anti-trade than the Labour party, I am delighted to hear that there seems to be some kind of turnaround and that under a Biden Administration, the hon. Gentleman will back a US trade deal.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not address the question about the UK's position in the queue for a US trade deal.
Primarily Criticised Opposition
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
Proposal to designate East Midlands airport as an inland freeport.
East Midlands airport is the UK's biggest pure cargo airport. It has lots of potential for growth. It has become a hub of investment for freight and logistics in recent years, and must surely be at the heart of our plans to make the most of our global trade. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it would be a brilliant site for an inland freeport? Will she put a word in with the Chancellor?
I thank my hon. Friend for his assiduous bidding on behalf of the east midlands. The bidding for freeports opened on Tuesday, and bids need to be submitted by 5 February 2021. I point out to him that these trade deals we are negotiating will just mean more and more trade coming into the freight hub, with or without freeport status, but I will of course mention what he said to the Chancellor.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not explicitly confirm if East Midlands airport is suitable as an inland freeport.
General Principles Stated Without Concrete Details
Response accuracy