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Thursday Volume 629 12 October 2017 No. 32 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Thursday 12 October 2017 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2017 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 423 12 OCTOBER 2017 424 Tony Lloyd (Rochdale) (Lab): Does the International House of Commons Trade Secretary recognise that people fear that in the event of, for example, a very right-wing, ideological Government, we could see the erosion of social standards Thursday 12 October 2017 through our trade agreements or even the erosion of our ability to protect our national health service with The House met at half-past Nine o’clock the wrong type of trade treaty? Will he guarantee parliamentary scrutiny of every trade deal done? PRAYERS Dr Fox: I would like the Government to be judged by their actions. Therefore, as I indicated to the hon. Member for Coventry South (Mr Cunningham), as we [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] want to transition the already agreed EU free trade agreements into UK law—which will include, for example, workers’ rights and environmental standards—I hope that we will get the full support of the Opposition in Oral Answers to Questions doing that and in getting the legislation available to give us the powers to do so. Mr Mark Prisk (Hertford and Stortford) (Con): The INTERNATIONAL TRADE White Paper sets out a strong case for free trade: it is good for growth, and it is good for jobs—but occasionally other countries will act in unfair ways, such as through The Secretary of State was asked— the dumping of goods. Will the Secretary of State therefore confirm that it will always be the Government’s Trade White Paper approach to respond to that in a proportionate, carefully targeted and time-limited fashion? 1. Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): What plans he has to publish a White Paper on trade. [901070] Dr Fox: The Government will bring forward legislation that sets out our plans for a trade remedies authority to The Secretary of State for International Trade and ensure that the protections that UK business currently President of the Board of Trade (Dr Liam Fox): Since he has—and that the UK workforce currently enjoy—are is a conscientious and committed Member of the House continued when we leave the European Union. of Commons, the hon. Gentleman will know that the Government published a trade White Paper on Monday Hannah Bardell (Livingston) (SNP): White Papers 9 October 2017. The trade White Paper establishes the are all good and well, but yesterday the Scottish principles that will guide future UK trade policy and Government published a report showing what is at sets out the preparatory steps that we are taking. The stake for business as the UK edges closer to the Brexit paper can be found in the Libraries of both Houses and cliff edge. We know that the Secretary of State has on the gov.uk website. consulted the business community to find out how it will be affected, but will he commit today to publishing Mr Cunningham: What transitional plans does the the findings, as called for by a range of MPs across the Secretary of State have for the transitional period if he House, even if they show that business wants to stay in cannot necessarily do the trade deals that he wants the single market and customs union? At what point to do? will this Government stop governing in secret and publish the reality of the impact of Brexit? Dr Fox: If the hon. Gentleman is referring to the transitional adoption of existing EU agreements, I can Dr Fox: The Government are of course extremely tell him that we have had a very positive response from concerned about any perceptions of instability. We will other Governments, who, like us, want to ensure that consult widely, particularly when it comes to new free there is no disruption of trade at the point of departure trade agreements, but of course the greatest threat to from the European Union. We will want to get as many stability, particularly in Scotland, is the insistence of the of those in place as we can. That depends partly on the Scottish Government on threatening a second referendum willingness of partners to get that ready on time; there on independence. are obviously contingency measures available to us under the World Trade Organisation to ensure continued market Car Exports access in any case. 2. Chris Williamson (Derby North) (Lab): What plans Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con): Can he has to facilitate exports from car manufacturers after we just declare for free trade? the UK leaves the EU. [901071] Dr Fox: This Government constantly declares for free The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for trade. In fact, as we leave the European Union and take International Trade (Mark Garnier): The Secretary of up our independent seat on the World Trade Organisation, State for Exiting the European Union will be leading this country intends to champion the cause of global negotiations on our trade relationship with the EU, free trade, especially at a time when the growth in trade aimed at the greatest possible tariff and barrier-free has been slowing down in recent years. trade with our European neighbours, including for the 425 Oral Answers 12 OCTOBER 2017 Oral Answers 426 automotive sector. The UK will also be able to negotiate Mark Garnier: My hon. Friend, too, is absolutely our own trade agreements around the world, and it is a right. I travel the world—as, indeed, do all our Ministers— high priority that we achieve the best possible deals and meet representatives of businesses in countries around with global partners. We are in close contact with the world who see the huge value that this country has, stakeholders across the automotive industry to that and the great British brand that the Department is end. representing and selling abroad. What we have to offer is fantastic, and I am an unashamed patriot when it Chris Williamson: Last month, in a speech to the comes to our great exports from fabulous businesses Bank of England, the Prime Minister described the free such as Aston Martin, and any number of others. It is market economy as the duty of everyone in the House to support all those “the greatest agent of collective human progress ever created.” businesses, and to talk up the British Isles when they In view of the Prime Minister’s ideological objection to travel, not just around the world but in the United Government intervention, will the Minister say how the Kingdom. highly skilled workforce at Toyota in Derbyshire will be able to find comparable employment, in the event that Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD): The of Toyota relocates thanks to the Government’s botched Secretary of State has just said that he wants the Brexit negotiations? Government to be judged by their actions.Can the Minister tell us what the cost of the Nissan deal was, whether Mark Garnier: I know the hon. Gentleman stands up deals have been struck with other car manufacturers, for those constituents of his who work at the Toyota and whether the Government have set aside a large plant, but we need to look more carefully at what budget to ensure that other sectors can continue to Toyota is doing. It has made a £240 million investment export successfully? in the Burnaston factory, to make a commitment to the UK after Brexit, and that has been supported by a Mark Garnier: The right hon. Gentleman knows full further £21.5 million from the Government, who are well that, under state aid rules which apply not only to also committed to the workers he describes in his the European Union but to the World Trade Organisation, constituency. the Government cannot give subsidies to businesses to create unfair competition against other countries.However, Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): as I said in an earlier answer, the Government have Given that the United Kingdom imports £30 billion supported Toyota with a £21 million investment. Any worth of vehicles—more than we export each year—does support that is given to any businesses—in the automotive my hon. Friend agree that it is in the interests of not just sector, and across the piece—will be fully compliant the UK but the EU for us to have barrier and tariff-free with all the rules by which we abide. Subsidies such as trade on vehicles in the future? those from the European regional development fund are widely known about, and they are perfectly fair and Mark Garnier: My hon. Friend is right. We are perfectly legal. absolutely committed to a tariff and barrier-free relationship with the European Union in the future. It is worth Foreign Direct Investment remembering that the European Union exports twice as many cars to Britain as we export to the EU. It is in all our interests—it is in the interests of all the workers in 3. Jeremy Quin (Horsham) (Con): What his policy is the European Union—for us to achieve a successful and on attracting foreign direct investment into the UK. fruitful outcome. [901072] Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) (Lab): Following the The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for referendum and the subsequent depreciation of sterling, International Trade (Mark Garnier): The Department a number of car manufacturers in Britain have announced supports foreign investment in all parts of the United plans for further investment and an expansion of Kingdom through our overseas network, international production.