Contributions
1,454 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWTO ReformMy hon. Friend is right that the rules- based order is very important. Last week we got the support of all the Trade Ministers of the Commonwealth, who represent a third of the…17 Oct 2019HANSARDScotch Whisky TariffsI have been raising this issue with my US counterpart since July, when I first met Bob Lighthizer. I have also raised it with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. I have made it clear…17 Oct 2019HANSARDScotch Whisky TariffsWe are extremely disappointed that the US has decided to levy tariffs, including on the Scotch whisky industry. I have urged my US counterpart to rethink this, and the Prime…17 Oct 2019HANSARDWTO ReformWhen I was at the WTO in Geneva last week, I met David Walker, who is currently leading work to resolve the appellate body crisis. I have given him my full support in that work.…17 Oct 2019HANSARDWTO ReformI am a big supporter of the WTO, but it does need reform. When the UK takes up its independent seat at the WTO for the first time in many years, we will strongly be backing the…17 Oct 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI hope that the hon. Lady will be supporting the Prime Minister in his negotiations in Brussels, where he has already secured significant advances to where we were, in particular…17 Oct 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend is absolutely right—this is a fantastic opportunity for the UK. When I was out in the US, I met Bob Lighthizer, and I also met the Treasury Secretary to discuss…17 Oct 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI can assure the hon. Gentleman that an incredible amount of work has been going on across Government to make sure that we are fully prepared for all scenarios. The Chancellor of…17 Oct 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe best way of avoiding no deal is for the— [Interruption.] The hon. Gentleman shakes his head, but this is common sense: the best way to avoid no deal is to vote for a deal.17 Oct 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank the hon. Gentleman for his question and I will look into that issue.17 Oct 2019HANSARDWTO ReformWell, I can tell the hon. Gentleman that I am going to be in Yorkshire next Friday, visiting and talking to exporting businesses such as Bettys of Harrogate and Burberry in Leeds.…17 Oct 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am a great believer that free trade and free enterprise help us to achieve our environmental goals through better technology, more innovation and more ingenuity. The Minister of…17 Oct 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am delighted to have been appointed as Trade Secretary at this vital time in our nation’s history. For the first time in 46 years, we will have an independent trade policy and…17 Oct 2019HANSARDWelsh ExportsI know that very high-quality lamb is produced in the hon. Lady’s constituency. In fact, I have visited the Rhayader sheep market and seen it for myself. I can assure her that the…17 Oct 2019HANSARDWelsh ExportsThe best way to avoid potential tariff barriers is to support good free trade agreements with both the EU and the US. I hope the hon. Lady will support any deal the Government…17 Oct 2019HANSARDScotch Whisky TariffsI am aware of the fantastic whisky distilleries—in fact, I visited Macallan with my hon. Friend very recently—and they are an incredibly important part of the Scottish economy,…17 Oct 2019HANSARDScotch Whisky TariffsMy understanding is that the Republic of Ireland has been hit with tariffs on other products. These retaliatory tariffs following the Airbus dispute have been levied on a number…17 Oct 2019HANSARDScotch Whisky TariffsWhen we leave the EU, the UK will be responsible for its own tariff policy. At this point we are part of the EU and those overall discussions on tariffs, so we cannot make that…17 Oct 2019HANSARDWTO ReformThe UK was a founder member of GATT, which then became the WTO. As the hon. Gentleman knows, by his definition we would only have been in the EU since 1993, because previously we…17 Oct 2019HANSARDNo-deal Brexit: Temporary Tariff RegimeToday I am informing the House about updates to the temporary tariff regime announced in March. This regime would come into effect if the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 31…08 Oct 2019