0:00:12 > 0:00:16Hello, welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage from the House of
0:00:16 > 0:00:21Commons. In an hour, the Labour MP Wes Streeting has tabled an urgent
0:00:21 > 0:00:25question on the data hack, the online taxi booking firm uber. The
0:00:25 > 0:00:29company is said to have concealed a hack which affected 57 million
0:00:29 > 0:00:34customers and drivers. After that, the Leader of the House will outline
0:00:34 > 0:00:37the forthcoming business in the Commons and take questions from MPs.
0:00:37 > 0:00:42That will be followed by a statement from the Work and Pensions Secretary
0:00:42 > 0:00:46on the changes to the welfare benefit, Universal Credit announce
0:00:46 > 0:00:51in the yesterday's budget. MPs will return to the debate on yesterday's
0:00:51 > 0:00:58budget with a focus on housing and public services. It will be opened
0:00:58 > 0:01:03by Sajid Javid with Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell replying
0:01:03 > 0:01:09for the opposition. First, we have questions to the international Trade
0:01:09 > 0:01:14Secretary, Liam Fox, and his team of ministers.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18THE SPEAKER:Questions to the Secretary of State for International
0:01:18 > 0:01:27Development.The sect THE SPEAKER:Dr Liam Fox.Before I
0:01:27 > 0:01:33begin, I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to the family
0:01:33 > 0:01:36and friends of Simon Spears who tragically lost his life whilst on
0:01:36 > 0:01:39board the Great Britain yacht during the Clipper Round the World race
0:01:39 > 0:01:42last weekend. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this
0:01:42 > 0:01:46very sad time. With permission, I'll answer questions one and two
0:01:46 > 0:01:53together. The DIT's building a world-class trade policies for the
0:01:53 > 0:01:59lopping term future of our country. Our trade poll is Si's grouped grown
0:01:59 > 0:02:05significantly from 45 to over 100. It continues to grow. We've
0:02:05 > 0:02:11established working groups with key trade partners to explore the best
0:02:11 > 0:02:17ways of addressing key relationships with Mexico, Australia and Japan.I
0:02:17 > 0:02:22thank my Right Honourable Friend for his reply. The business community in
0:02:22 > 0:02:27my Cleethorpes constituency are eagerly looking forward to the
0:02:27 > 0:02:32opportunities new trade agreements will impose. Could the Secretary of
0:02:32 > 0:02:35State clarify which elements of trade bill refer to the free trade
0:02:35 > 0:02:42agreements?The trade bill is about maintaining the effects of our
0:02:42 > 0:02:47current trading arrange thes to ensure continuity for businesses,
0:02:47 > 0:02:52workers and consumers ares we Lee the EU. They will be used to
0:02:52 > 0:02:55transition trade agreements the EU has already signed prior to exit.
0:02:55 > 0:03:01Work's ongoing to establish how we'll deal with future free trade
0:03:01 > 0:03:13agreements. To claim this allows us to write future FT As is untrue.My
0:03:13 > 0:03:19constituents in Newark think it is essential the existing FT as are
0:03:19 > 0:03:24transferred and rolled over as expeditionly as possible. Would the
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Secretary of State confirm there will be a separate consultation to
0:03:27 > 0:03:35the public and to Parliament on how we handle those separate new FT As?
0:03:35 > 0:03:38There will be the trait White Paper which is separate from the trade
0:03:38 > 0:03:43bill asked for views on what a future engagement and scrutiny
0:03:43 > 0:03:47framework will look like on trade. We're considering the responses and
0:03:47 > 0:03:54will engage in the coming months. Given the changes we have where
0:03:54 > 0:03:58Pascal Lammy described asking away from protection of consumers we have
0:03:58 > 0:04:03to take the views of consumers far more into account on trade greats
0:04:03 > 0:04:07than we've done in the past.When I was a little boy, my grandmother
0:04:07 > 0:04:13said shame the devil and tell the truth. When will this Secretary of
0:04:13 > 0:04:16State tell the truth he's been with his colleagues going around the
0:04:16 > 0:04:22world begging for a trade deal. Everyone's telling him we want to
0:04:22 > 0:04:25trade with the EU, a much bigger trading group.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29THE SPEAKER:I'm sure the honourable gentleman wouldn't suggest the
0:04:29 > 0:04:33Secretary of State would ever tell an untruth in this House?Mr
0:04:33 > 0:04:39Speaker, I did not mean to infer. I thought the House would like to know
0:04:39 > 0:04:44Mayer grandmother would say to me be the importance of very asti.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47THE SPEAKER:We're immensely interested in the honourable
0:04:47 > 0:04:52gentleman's grandmother. The room nations will be found in his memoirs
0:04:52 > 0:04:56which will be deposited in the library and we can read in the long
0:04:56 > 0:05:02winters ahead.We want to see what the best deal is for the UK. How to
0:05:02 > 0:05:09get trading volumes and value up. But, of course, we are very pleased
0:05:09 > 0:05:12to continue to go along with the British public's view on the
0:05:12 > 0:05:18referendum. The honourable gentleman would want to do the same since his
0:05:18 > 0:05:23constituents voted overwhelmingly. A view he will endorse.Can the
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Secretary of State explain the likely impact of a no deal Brexit in
0:05:27 > 0:05:33respect of the F7 or so country which we already have association
0:05:33 > 0:05:40agreements through the EU?Mr Speaker, we will want to ensure that
0:05:40 > 0:05:44those are replicated in UK law on the day we leave the EU. Because,
0:05:44 > 0:05:48whether there is an agreement or not, we'll have to have a legal
0:05:48 > 0:05:54bases for trading with those countries.Can my right honourable
0:05:54 > 0:06:00friend confirm the position about trade agreements when we leave the
0:06:00 > 0:06:04EU that after April 2019, we will be negotiating such trade deals and
0:06:04 > 0:06:09look forward to signing them when we are free from the shackles of the
0:06:09 > 0:06:15EU?Mr Speaker, again to make it clear, before the leave the EU, we
0:06:15 > 0:06:21have to be able to transition the existing EU free trade agreements to
0:06:21 > 0:06:25ghi of give us the regal basis to trade. Up to that point and beyond
0:06:25 > 0:06:32we want to see what new opportunities are available. If
0:06:32 > 0:06:36during an implementation period we will still want to negotiate and
0:06:36 > 0:06:43sign free trade agreements.He's repeating what he told us recently,
0:06:43 > 0:06:46his department wants to copy and paste these trade deals. It doesn't
0:06:46 > 0:06:52have the capacity to negotiate new ones. Given there can't really be a
0:06:52 > 0:06:55better trading relationship with the EU than membership of the single
0:06:55 > 0:07:01market. If taking back control means duplicating what we have, why not
0:07:01 > 0:07:06take the easy and obvious path and stay in the single market.I'll help
0:07:06 > 0:07:11the honourable gentleman, it is not possible to simply copy and paste
0:07:11 > 0:07:16existing agreements. There is disking a regularation of TRQs into
0:07:16 > 0:07:24account. It is not quite as simple as that.You trudge into work full
0:07:24 > 0:07:28of doom, gloom-laden, thinking it will all be too difficult or do they
0:07:28 > 0:07:33bounce into his office full of energy and enthusiasm saying this is
0:07:33 > 0:07:37a wonderful opportunity so Britain can be at the forefront of leading
0:07:37 > 0:07:42the world into the bright sunnier uplands of freer trade?Not all that
0:07:42 > 0:07:46many people bounce into my office, though they regularly bounce out of
0:07:46 > 0:07:53it! We are an incredibly optimistic department. We look to the future
0:07:53 > 0:07:58with great confidence. Let me give figures. The last time we at very
0:07:58 > 0:08:05tied jobsment for 92 jobs we made available there were 1698 app
0:08:05 > 0:08:11captains. A great deal of optimism in our civil service.The Secretary
0:08:11 > 0:08:17of State is indeed an optimist. It is good to hear him upbeat about the
0:08:17 > 0:08:21trade deals which await us in the post-Brexit world. Perhaps he can
0:08:21 > 0:08:25explain why when the red book shows trade in the world economy
0:08:25 > 0:08:31increasing year-on-year by 4% over the next five years, it also shows
0:08:31 > 0:08:40the UK's export growth decline from 3.4% next year to 1.2% in 2019.
0:08:40 > 0:08:46Plummeting to just 0.1% in each of the following three years? Is the
0:08:46 > 0:08:50minister, perhaps, an optimist who can find no rationale grounds for
0:08:50 > 0:08:57his optimism?Mr Speaker, it is nice to see project fear never dies.
0:08:57 > 0:09:03Rather than... Rather than... Rather than going on projections, let me
0:09:03 > 0:09:08tell the honourable gentleman what our economy has done. When global
0:09:08 > 0:09:12trade has been growing by 3%. UK exports have been up 13.1% in the
0:09:12 > 0:09:16past year. In goods by over 16%. That is the real performance of our
0:09:16 > 0:09:22UK economy. Let me tell the honourable gentleman, there's
0:09:22 > 0:09:26incredible slack to export further. We should be encouraging British
0:09:26 > 0:09:32exports to do so.Question number three, MrSpeaker. I'm glad the
0:09:32 > 0:09:37honourable gentleman askings about our export promotion capability.
0:09:37 > 0:09:45Exports from the region, including my region, grew by 10.6% compared to
0:09:45 > 0:09:522015. For markets such as Singapore and North Korea. We will support
0:09:52 > 0:09:56this through global growth pilot or a targeted export programme
0:09:56 > 0:10:03alongside Torbay development authority. I'll thank pie right
0:10:03 > 0:10:11honourable friend for his answer -- Torquay factory won a national
0:10:11 > 0:10:13recognition for how its staff and management worked together to grow
0:10:13 > 0:10:19their business. What support does my right honourable friend intend to
0:10:19 > 0:10:25give them to grow further by increasing their exports?Photonics
0:10:25 > 0:10:29is about the science of light generation and manipulation. You and
0:10:29 > 0:10:35all other members already knew that. DIT's local international trade
0:10:35 > 0:10:40adviser engages with businesses in the photonic sector and with will
0:10:40 > 0:10:44soon address the Torbay manufacturing forum. DIT specialists
0:10:44 > 0:10:52will meet them in January to review the proposition for the sector. A
0:10:52 > 0:11:02DIT specialist will visit Japan promoting UK photonics capability.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05The south-west traditional grows very fine livestock and has a
0:11:05 > 0:11:10buoyant export market. Would the Secretary of State give me and the
0:11:10 > 0:11:14farmers of Taunton Deane assurances if export certification demands
0:11:14 > 0:11:17increase the Government will give the right support to thing a
0:11:17 > 0:11:21cultural industry as well as looking into developing electronic systems
0:11:21 > 0:11:27to help certification process?The Government's committed to ensuring
0:11:27 > 0:11:31as math as possible an exit from the EU for all sectors, including
0:11:31 > 0:11:35agriculture. Beyond that, the department is particularly focussed
0:11:35 > 0:11:40on finding new markets for ouring a agricultural sector. There's
0:11:40 > 0:11:46substantial growth in demand in countries like China and India.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49Begin the UK's are the finest in the world we should be at the forefront
0:11:49 > 0:11:58of those markets.The minister of states... We are guided by a desire
0:11:58 > 0:12:02to seek continuity in our trading relationships with developing
0:12:02 > 0:12:08countries as we leave the EU. This includes economic partnership
0:12:08 > 0:12:16agreements. The UK is, of course, fully committed to promoting and
0:12:16 > 0:12:19delivering the sustainable development goals. It is the first
0:12:19 > 0:12:34and only G7 country to spend 0.7% on Nash inch on overseas development.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37He given that Uganda and Nigeria have not signed because they do not
0:12:37 > 0:12:43think there are beneficial long-term, how does the Secretary of
0:12:43 > 0:12:46state look at to address those issues and will he considered GSP or
0:12:46 > 0:12:53GSP plus?We haven't we will be transitioning the full transition
0:12:53 > 0:12:58scheme of the European Union including categories such as GSP and
0:12:58 > 0:13:02GSP plus. I am surprised if he is opposed to us transitioning the
0:13:02 > 0:13:12EPAs. The existing ones, you are not well, £209 million worth of imports
0:13:12 > 0:13:16from the developing world last year whether imported using the EPAs
0:13:16 > 0:13:19which otherwise would have had to pay a higher tariff to enter into
0:13:19 > 0:13:32the UK.The EPAs are not working as well and the West opposed to Africa,
0:13:32 > 0:13:35will he look into African trade rather than trade back with a
0:13:35 > 0:13:43declining market sector, Europe, compared to the rest of the world?
0:13:43 > 0:13:47We have had successful detox. My Secretary of state was in South
0:13:47 > 0:13:53Africa a couple of months ago. -- successful talks. We are in gauging
0:13:53 > 0:14:02with Africa and different ministers. Can I say to him we have agreed in a
0:14:02 > 0:14:08joint statement to seek to transition the EPA with South Africa
0:14:08 > 0:14:15and also the agreement last week to transition that as well.Busy fellow
0:14:15 > 0:14:23he is.Economic partnership agreements have faced criticism from
0:14:23 > 0:14:27the countries they are intended to help but also experts and academics
0:14:27 > 0:14:31across Europe. Dolby Secretary of state consider including a sunset
0:14:31 > 0:14:39Clause into the rolled over EPAs so that better at -- better agreements
0:14:39 > 0:14:41can be negotiated?These are agreements that are being
0:14:41 > 0:14:47transition. It is to take an agreement in place and make sure it
0:14:47 > 0:14:52continues to be in place after we leave the European Union. We are in
0:14:52 > 0:14:56constant dialogue with the developing world partners and we are
0:14:56 > 0:15:01open to improving those preferential relationships in the future if that
0:15:01 > 0:15:08is deemed to be in the interests of the developing countries.Under the
0:15:08 > 0:15:13leadership of my honourable friend, the Member for Twickenham and the
0:15:13 > 0:15:17noble Lord Haig, the UK Government was the first to publish a national
0:15:17 > 0:15:21action plan on business human rights. Bobby Mimms give a
0:15:21 > 0:15:24commitment that human rights impact assessments will be undertaken
0:15:24 > 0:15:34before any new trade deal is signed? Daschle will the Minister.The Duke
0:15:34 > 0:15:40remains committed to universal human rights. We have a strong record of
0:15:40 > 0:15:42supporting human rights. Safeguarding and supporting human
0:15:42 > 0:15:49rights is an integral part of Government and prosperity Angela
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Knight are supported. Transitioning arrangements means a similar
0:15:51 > 0:16:03approach to human rights.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08The Department of International trade has overall responsibility for
0:16:08 > 0:16:14inward investment and outward investment to markets overseas.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18Officials in my department and the Department for business energy and
0:16:18 > 0:16:23strategy have had discussions on how to support businesses. The IT is
0:16:23 > 0:16:27taking an export strategy to understand businesses seeking to
0:16:27 > 0:16:32export -- the Department of International trade.Exporting and
0:16:32 > 0:16:38manufacturing businesses in North Wales such as Airbus and Mugello and
0:16:38 > 0:16:43are at leading organisations but they need infrastructure and
0:16:43 > 0:16:48investment from the Government to face the challenges ahead. Why isn't
0:16:48 > 0:16:57this Government is so reluctant to invest that support in North Wales?
0:16:57 > 0:17:02There was a growth deal in the budget and we have an industrial
0:17:02 > 0:17:05strategy to be announced next week that will talk exactly about how we
0:17:05 > 0:17:09can improve the infrastructure to support those great businesses that
0:17:09 > 0:17:16penalty represents very well in North Wales.There is inconsistent
0:17:16 > 0:17:22bobbing in the chamber. A member Bob Swans and he thinks that is
0:17:22 > 0:17:28sufficient to participate. Repeated bobbing is required. I would
0:17:28 > 0:17:34encourage the honourable gentleman to increase his athleticism.
0:17:34 > 0:17:41Apologies. Whiskey exports worth £4 billion per year, how can they
0:17:41 > 0:17:45capitalise on the success story for Scottish wish the exports?It is one
0:17:45 > 0:17:55of the success stories. If this department that leads in every sense
0:17:55 > 0:17:58on the dash of supporting expos of food and drink across the world, and
0:17:58 > 0:18:04it is worth DEF R&A that we look to have market access in terms of
0:18:04 > 0:18:16standards.The foreign and, offers is responsible for policy on human
0:18:16 > 0:18:24rights across the whole of. Gosh Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We
0:18:24 > 0:18:28would encourage all states to uphold human rights obligations. Including
0:18:28 > 0:18:34when we meet them in the UK and overseas.I am going to put to the
0:18:34 > 0:18:38test the statement made by the Minister made it a few seconds ago.
0:18:38 > 0:18:44The UK promote human rights in trade talks. Did the Secretary of state
0:18:44 > 0:18:53raise the case of Andrew Osagie with his Ethiopian counterparts and
0:18:53 > 0:18:58what...My meeting with the Ethiopian Prime Minister talking
0:18:58 > 0:19:07about long-term stability as well as space, we don't raise the consular
0:19:07 > 0:19:14case and we hope we will see results of that interaction soon.I declare
0:19:14 > 0:19:18an interest as the trade envoy for the Prime Minister to Ethiopia.
0:19:18 > 0:19:24Would he agree that the work that the ambassador in Addis Ababa has
0:19:24 > 0:19:28done is tremendous that she has arranged for visits, she has
0:19:28 > 0:19:33personally visited, but this needs to come to an end? Will he
0:19:33 > 0:19:37acknowledged the work that the Ethiopian Government is doing with
0:19:37 > 0:19:42refugees, more than 1 million in the country, tried to get them into
0:19:42 > 0:19:51work?It is always the aim of our Government to get our governments to
0:19:51 > 0:19:56replicate the values that we have in a practical way. I would like to
0:19:56 > 0:20:02second of the vote of thanks to block that she and her staff doing.
0:20:02 > 0:20:08He makes a valid point, we do need to take into consideration the
0:20:08 > 0:20:13extreme pressures are under, taking 1 million refugees is not easy for
0:20:13 > 0:20:16the most developed country never made a country that is moving
0:20:16 > 0:20:23forward and development like Ethiopia.We are taking the
0:20:23 > 0:20:27necessary steps to operate our own trade remedy system which will
0:20:27 > 0:20:31investigate and take action against unfair trading practices which enjoy
0:20:31 > 0:20:39the UK industry. The new authority will operate this system and make
0:20:39 > 0:20:43recommendations to address injuries found by investigations. It will
0:20:43 > 0:20:47consider the interests of all parties, producers, other
0:20:47 > 0:20:52industries, consumers as well as regional and long-term impacts.The
0:20:52 > 0:20:56Minister will be aware that his Conservative colleagues in the
0:20:56 > 0:21:00European Parliament have frustrated efforts to prevent dumping of steel
0:21:00 > 0:21:03in the UK market. This has had a devastating impact on British steel
0:21:03 > 0:21:09production. Will the authority to protect the interests of workers and
0:21:09 > 0:21:16industry in this country?When he mentions the European Parliament,
0:21:16 > 0:21:22perhaps he will happily work with his own colleagues who seeking or
0:21:22 > 0:21:29have looked to frustrate the process, as even talking about trade
0:21:29 > 0:21:34with the European Union to start with. The lesser duty rule, the
0:21:34 > 0:21:39propolis of trade remedies measures is to protect injury. The lesser
0:21:39 > 0:21:42duty rule provide adequate protection to achieve this aim so
0:21:42 > 0:21:47that industry can operate on a fair playing field without imposing
0:21:47 > 0:21:52unnecessary costs on downstream industry and consumers.I should
0:21:52 > 0:21:56remind them that it was this Government that argued against trade
0:21:56 > 0:22:00remedies in Europe and failed to protect the steel and ceramics
0:22:00 > 0:22:07industry. That is not surprising that manufacturers will think that
0:22:07 > 0:22:10the new authority will focus on consumer interest at the expense of
0:22:10 > 0:22:14businesses and jobs. What assurances will he give that they will not
0:22:14 > 0:22:20always seek to apply the Lesser duty rule and will he now commit to
0:22:20 > 0:22:23include social and environmental criteria in the remit of the
0:22:23 > 0:22:26authorities so the UK does not become the dumping ground for goods
0:22:26 > 0:22:35which can no longer be dumped in the EU?We have taken robust action with
0:22:35 > 0:22:41steel with the EU. We have taken an active role in that. The Government
0:22:41 > 0:22:44recognises that overcapacity is a significant global issue which is
0:22:44 > 0:22:50why we have been working proactively through the EU and RG 20 partners.
0:22:50 > 0:22:57When he seeks to downplay the interests of consumers and is,
0:22:57 > 0:23:01consumers will be vital and that the heart of the trade remedies process,
0:23:01 > 0:23:11where they deserve to be.I will answer question eight and 13
0:23:11 > 0:23:15together. We putting export finance at the heart of promotion by
0:23:15 > 0:23:19enhancing the support to exporters and smaller companies. This is a new
0:23:19 > 0:23:23guaranteed to banks designed to increase liquidity in the supply
0:23:23 > 0:23:29chain. More access to capital. The kind of fill more orders. You can
0:23:29 > 0:23:36export finance will launch a targeted campaign is part of the
0:23:36 > 0:23:44wider campaign.With the Minister agree with me that supporting
0:23:44 > 0:23:48British business, especially outside of London is crucial for a
0:23:48 > 0:23:53successful Brexit? Will he visit my constituency to discuss boosting
0:23:53 > 0:23:58investment for Scotland?In a few short ones that my honourable friend
0:23:58 > 0:24:03has been a member and he is a good campaigner for the whiskey industry
0:24:03 > 0:24:06and the cultural industry in his patch. I would be delighted to
0:24:06 > 0:24:16visit. The board will promote the regions and we have regional
0:24:16 > 0:24:19advisers who work through the Scottish Government, supported by
0:24:19 > 0:24:31the UK Government.High-tech software businesses that have global
0:24:31 > 0:24:36potential. Can these businesses access UK Export Finance to reach
0:24:36 > 0:24:40into new countries to boost British exports and to bring new high-tech
0:24:40 > 0:24:44jobs to my constituency? He is welcome to stop off on his way up to
0:24:44 > 0:24:53Scotland.I would love to visit Berwick-upon-Tweed. Measures were
0:24:53 > 0:24:57introduced such as passing delegated powers to the high street banks to
0:24:57 > 0:25:01offer up to £2 million of export credit. It is important we recognise
0:25:01 > 0:25:06this as a resource that is vital for financing export. She will know by
0:25:06 > 0:25:11the recent round table briefing section that we had for all members
0:25:11 > 0:25:16of Parliament that we are keen to engage all members to see how UK
0:25:16 > 0:25:21Export Finance can help their constituents.Is there an expression
0:25:21 > 0:25:28of interest by the SMBs that can access the high-street banks and
0:25:28 > 0:25:32does the Minister believe this can be promoted allowing the SMEs to
0:25:32 > 0:25:37safely expand?I will have to get back to him with the exact figures.
0:25:37 > 0:25:43We need to promote more of this opportunity so and SME can get the
0:25:43 > 0:25:47access to high-street finance. We have allocated an advertising budget
0:25:47 > 0:25:55to be able to support that.99% of UK Export Finance lending on energy
0:25:55 > 0:25:59goes on the most polluted fields. Does the Minister think his
0:25:59 > 0:26:06department is exempt under the Paris climate range treaty? -- climate
0:26:06 > 0:26:16change.The entire Government takes a view on the objectives of all the
0:26:16 > 0:26:23agreements we have undertaken it. No department would go against that. We
0:26:23 > 0:26:26are undertaking financing for offshore wind farms. We are helping
0:26:26 > 0:26:39to build more carbon neutral... Topical questions.My department has
0:26:39 > 0:26:44two asks, promoting UK expos, goods and services, investments outward
0:26:44 > 0:26:51and inward and trade policy. Ministers have undertaken visits to
0:26:51 > 0:26:59Europe, the Arabian Gulf, Asia and Africa. I will travel to Australia.
0:26:59 > 0:27:04I would like to welcome Barbara Nessa Fairhead who has joined as
0:27:04 > 0:27:07Minister of trade and export promotion and will become even
0:27:07 > 0:27:14speech in the Other Place on Monday. Commonwealth trade conference in
0:27:14 > 0:27:182018 for all 52 Commonwealth nations to harness the rising tide of
0:27:18 > 0:27:25goodwill and optimism and support for enhanced Commonwealth trade
0:27:25 > 0:27:32within the exit from Europe?
0:27:32 > 0:27:37The UK's committed to highlighting the value of and increasing inter
0:27:37 > 0:27:43Commonwealth trade. Businesses will have an opportunity to meet in a
0:27:43 > 0:27:47three-day forum which will help us promote our vision for global
0:27:47 > 0:27:54Britain as well as celebrate and grow that vital inter Commonwealth
0:27:54 > 0:28:01trade he mentions.America's Trade Secretary Wilbur Ross told the CBI
0:28:01 > 0:28:06the essential pre-condition of a trade deal with the USA was to move
0:28:06 > 0:28:09our regulation standards and environmental protections away from
0:28:09 > 0:28:14the EU and closer to the Americans. Last week, Michel Barnier said the
0:28:14 > 0:28:19essential pre-condition of a good trade deal with the EU was keep our
0:28:19 > 0:28:22regulations and starred Ards close to the European model. The
0:28:22 > 0:28:26Government says its top priority is to have barrier free trade with the
0:28:26 > 0:28:31EU. Does the Secretary of State accept he can have American cake or
0:28:31 > 0:28:34European gateau but he can't have both?
0:28:39 > 0:28:43Sack the writer, Mr Speaker! When it comes to standards, we've made it
0:28:43 > 0:28:48very clear with he will not see a reduction in the quality I of
0:28:48 > 0:28:52products or safety of products made available either goods or services
0:28:52 > 0:28:56to the UK consumers. We'll determine in the UK what we think those should
0:28:56 > 0:29:00be. Then we will negotiate with any of those countries that are willing
0:29:00 > 0:29:07to negotiate on those terms. We will determine what we choose for
0:29:07 > 0:29:12Britain's future. Up like the party opposite, we won't be dictated to by
0:29:12 > 0:29:18Mr Barnier.What further steps is the Government taking to increase
0:29:18 > 0:29:23outward investment in frontier markets?Well, outward direct
0:29:23 > 0:29:28investment is a new priority of this Government since the summer of 2016.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32We have launched a number of pilots looking at how best we might
0:29:32 > 0:29:39approach this. There's funding available. The prosperity fund, to
0:29:39 > 0:29:44do precisely this. Can I con grate limb him on his role as the trade
0:29:44 > 0:29:52envoy to Pakistan. In September, I visited the huge GSK plant in
0:29:52 > 0:29:56Karachi which produces over 200 million packages of medicine for the
0:29:56 > 0:30:05Pakistan market. It is a vital part of GSK's overseas often rations. The
0:30:05 > 0:30:11minister for inter flash fall trade acted as a lobbyist in tax ace and
0:30:11 > 0:30:15environmental licensing issues. Does the minister think this is
0:30:15 > 0:30:21consistent with the Government's issues and it conforms with the
0:30:21 > 0:30:25Ministerial Code of Conduct?This is an excellent opportunity to correct
0:30:25 > 0:30:30the misinformation that was put in the Guardian on Monday which the
0:30:30 > 0:30:34Department for International Trade put out of release afterwards. To be
0:30:34 > 0:30:39absolutely clear that the meeting with the Brazilian Energy Minister,
0:30:39 > 0:30:45which was public at the time, Mr Speaker, I even put it on Twitter,
0:30:45 > 0:30:50it took the Guardian six months to pick up on this and it's clear that
0:30:50 > 0:30:55the basis of the meeting was to secure a level playing field for
0:30:55 > 0:31:02British companies in that market and we make no apology for that.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05Brazil's touch environmental regulations should apply equally to
0:31:05 > 0:31:11all companies across the board. Yesterday, I met with a delegation
0:31:11 > 0:31:15of businessmen from the seafood sector had base in the North East
0:31:15 > 0:31:21Lincolnshire. One of our meetings was to discuss the designation of
0:31:21 > 0:31:26Immingham and Grimsby as sea ports. The businessmen seemed enthusiastic
0:31:26 > 0:31:32about this. Could you expand on how we might pursue this post-Brexit.As
0:31:32 > 0:31:36we leave the EU, we can shape trade policy in our national interest. We
0:31:36 > 0:31:46will be able to take advantage of things that are not available to us
0:31:46 > 0:31:51while in the E EU. We want to look closely at the implications of free
0:31:51 > 0:31:57ports. He has a large fish processing capability employing some
0:31:57 > 0:32:025,000 people. He may want to discuss what overseas investment may do to
0:32:02 > 0:32:11expand that potential business. Could the Secretary of State confirm
0:32:11 > 0:32:15how deinvolved states will feature in these future free Tade
0:32:15 > 0:32:21agreements?I had discussions recently with all parts of the
0:32:21 > 0:32:25devolved administrations. They clearly will be very important
0:32:25 > 0:32:29partners in putting together our future free trade agreements. They
0:32:29 > 0:32:33should be treated with due respect. They are not the only voices in
0:32:33 > 0:32:37Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland we'll want to consult with
0:32:37 > 0:32:42businesses, consumers, unions and the public. We'll need to have a
0:32:42 > 0:32:47wider consultation in future than we've had in the past.Small
0:32:47 > 0:32:50business Saturday is an important business day in the run up to Chis
0:32:50 > 0:32:56mass. Is how is the Secretary of State helping small businesses in my
0:32:56 > 0:33:00constituency to export more?Small business Saturday is in its fifth
0:33:00 > 0:33:03year, a celebration of our small businesses. I imagine all members of
0:33:03 > 0:33:09the house will be taking part in their own constituencies. In my own
0:33:09 > 0:33:15case, I shall be with the UK export hub in my own constituency in
0:33:15 > 0:33:20Portishead. I encourage as many members of the public to attend as
0:33:20 > 0:33:28possible.Clause two of the trade bill give powers to ministers
0:33:28 > 0:33:33potentially for the whole of the next decade to sort out this issue
0:33:33 > 0:33:38of the 60 or so trade agreements we currently benefit from by virtue of
0:33:38 > 0:33:42our membership with the EU. Far from this all being resolved in the next
0:33:42 > 0:33:4816 months, is it not the case it will be this issue dividing up
0:33:48 > 0:33:53tariff quotas, etc, along with defining a new UK/EU trading
0:33:53 > 0:33:57relationship which will dominate the work of his department over the next
0:33:57 > 0:34:03fee years as opposed to this fiction of his fantasy trade deals else
0:34:03 > 0:34:10whereWe've already touched a bit on this earlier. Can we be clear that
0:34:10 > 0:34:14Lord Price and I have met with all of the key trading partners subject
0:34:14 > 0:34:20to those deals. We have in principle agreement for most of them. We have
0:34:20 > 0:34:24no problem from any in terms of transitioning those key trade
0:34:24 > 0:34:29dreams. We do not see that being a defy as being a technical process.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33There are one or two things which need to be sorted out in those talks
0:34:33 > 0:34:37with those parters, of course, we are in the right position and we
0:34:37 > 0:34:40look forward to transitioning those agreements to be a key part of our
0:34:40 > 0:34:42trading future.