Topical Questions 2020-09-03
2020-09-03
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Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
Sheryll Murray
ID: 24875
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The MP inquires about the progress of negotiations and promotion of British products.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. Will my right hon. Friend please promote this fantastic Cornish and British produce during her trade negotiations around the world?
We are making good progress on negotiations with the US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, and on accession to the CPTPP. I am going to be in Cornwall in a couple of weeks' time, visiting the Saputo creamery, which exports Cathedral City to the United States—there is currently a 26% tariff on that cheese, which I am seeking to get removed—and I would be delighted to visit her in her constituency and see some of her great food businesses as well.
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Q2
Direct Answer
David Linden
ID: 25677
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The MP inquires about the progress of negotiations to remove tariffs imposed by the US.
Yesterday, I met Beam Suntory and the Scotch Whisky Association to hear about the crippling impact that tariffs are having on the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Can she give us an update on how that is going and, more importantly, tell us when we are going to call time on tariffs?
We have made some progress in that we have stopped new tariffs being imposed on blended whisky. We have also got the tariffs removed on shortbread, such as Walkers, which has helped protect 250 jobs. However, the reality is that the EU has been responsible for negotiating the Airbus retaliatory tariffs; it has failed to do so, and that is why I have entered direct talks with the United States. I will be having more talks in the coming months to get these unfair, unjust tariffs removed on single malt whisky.
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Q3
Direct Answer
Jason McCartney
ID: 24887
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The MP seeks reassurances that high food and animal welfare standards will be maintained during negotiations.
During the lockdown and local restrictions, my constituents have really embraced shopping local and really supporting quality local food and drink products. What reassurances can the Minister please give me and my constituents that, while we do these trade deals, we really will not compromise our high food standards and our animal welfare standards?
I thank my hon. Friend for that question. It is worth reminding ourselves that he and I were both elected in December on a strong programme of no compromise on our standards on the environment, animal welfare and food safety—he and I collectively and individually. That is in the manifesto, and it has been made in repeated statements by the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for the International Trade and the whole DIT team.
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Q4
Direct Answer
Simon Jupp
ID: 25911
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The MP welcomes the Minister to East Devon and seeks reassurances for Devon farmers.
Recently, I welcomed the Minister to East Devon to visit a dairy farm to discuss the opportunities ahead to export a wide variety of world-renowned produce from my home county. What reassurances can my hon. Friend give our farmers in Devon that their produce will be promoted and protected by this Government?
They say it never rains in East Devon when in the company of my hon. Friend, which was certainly true on my great visit to his constituency. We met a huge number of great businesses and landowners who look after our countryside and curate it for the next generation. We will never sign a trade deal that compromises Britain's high environmental protections or animal welfare and food safety standards. Indeed, I assure my hon. Friend that we will continue to promote our excellent British produce overseas through agriculture, food and drink bounce-back plans.
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Q5
Direct Answer
Afzal Khan
ID: 25662
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The MP inquires about discussions regarding Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories.
As we speak, Palestinian communities remain at risk of forcible transfer as a result of Israeli annexation. The UK prohibited all trade from Crimea after Russia's illegal occupation and annexation in 2014, and we should follow that precedent when it comes to illegal settlements. Has the International Trade Secretary had discussions with her Israeli counterpart over the illegal annexation, and will she reconsider UK trade deals with settlement territories?
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary was recently in Israel talking about our close relationship with that important ally.
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Q6
Direct Answer
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Expressed sympathies for former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee's death and inquired about UK defence industry export opportunities in India.
India is the world's second largest importer of arms, but despite a robust UK defence industry including companies like Domo Tactical Communications from my constituency, India does not represent a significant market for us. What measures are being taken to boost exports and deepen defense ties with our largest Commonwealth ally?
We have been increasing engagement in the defense sector. The UK supported its largest ever delegation at India's defense expo earlier this year, including 160 business leaders. Given that India prefers to contract such deals via Government-to-Government frameworks, we are leading cross-government efforts to facilitate British businesses further.
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Q7
Direct Answer
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Asked about the effectiveness of environmental protections in bilateral trade agreements and their role in internationalizing these efforts.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that while environmental protections work within bilateral trade deals, they are most effective when the process is truly internationalized? In preparation for COP26, what steps are being taken to ensure strong environmental protection measures are a key component of international trade discussions?
I fully agree. As we take our independent seat at the World Trade Organisation, alongside pushing for technology and services advancements, we aim to collaborate with environmentally aligned partners to secure strong environmental agreements through our COP26 agenda.
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Q8
Partial Answer
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Asked about the implications of appointing Tony Abbott, known for sexist and homophobic views and climate change denialism.
The appointment of sexist and homophobic Tony Abbott also includes his stance on climate change. Does this suggest a shift in the Government's commitment to maintaining environmental protection standards in trade deals? If not, why is he appointed?
It's hypocritical to hear such arguments from the Labour party. They supported their former shadow Chancellor who called for lynching one of my female colleagues without apology and never elected a woman leader despite opportunities.
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Labour Party's hypocrisy on sexism, homophobia, climate change denialism.
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Q9
Direct Answer
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Asked about support for the whisky industry which has lost a third of its exports to the US since the tariff introduction.
We have heard warm words about cheese and food from Government, but we need concrete assurances in Scotland. The Scotch whisky industry has seen 25% export loss to the US post-tariff imposition. What are the Government doing to support this critical sector?
I am engaged in direct talks with the US about addressing this issue, following the EU's 15-year failure to act on it despite what my hon. Friend wishes for.
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Q10
Direct Answer
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Inquired about the number of free trade agreements where clauses protecting workers' rights have been secured or sought.
The Government are either in FTA reach or active negotiations with 15 countries that rank poorly on worker rights. Can you tell us how many of these FTAs include provisions securing or seeking to secure workers' rights?
FTA details are reserved for formal negotiations. HM Government has stressed that increased trade need not come at the expense of high labour standards. We remain active ILO members, upholding our leading world standards and commitments.
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Q11
Direct Answer
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In response to a previous question, the Minister stated that the vast majority of trade covered by existing EU deals has already been secured. However, this statement contradicts information on the Department's website.
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Thank you for taking this point of order, because it relates to the questions we have just heard. In answer to my question on rolling over the deals that we currently enjoy through membership of the European Union, the Under-Secretary of State for International Trade, the hon. Member for Beverley and Holderness (Graham Stuart), said that “the vast majority of the trade covered by those deals has already been secured,” This statement is contradicted by the Department's own website which says that 19 deals have been secured worth £84.07 billion last year, but there are 18 deals outstanding worth £84.5 billion—and that does not even include Japan. Will the Minister take this opportunity to correct the record and confirm that the vast majority of trade is not covered by these deals, and in fact they cover slightly less than half?
I think the hon. Gentleman is getting confused between the number of deals and the amount of trade that they cover. We have covered over 70% of the continuity trade, but some of those countries are smaller than others and have smaller amounts of trade.
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