Wednesday Volume 698 30 June 2021 No. 26 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday 30 June 2021 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2021 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 243 30 JUNE 2021 244 impact it will have on their areas? When does he think House of Commons that this “Union of equals” will start working equally— or,like this Government’s post-Brexit promises to farmers, Wednesday 30 June 2021 is this another empty set of words that will turn out to be all bull and no beef? The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock Simon Hart: It will not surprise the hon. Gentleman that I do not agree with his comments. We have engaged devolved Administrations and numerous other stakeholders PRAYERS during the whole course of the various free trade agreements that have been reached, in particular the Australia trade [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] deal. It would be nice if we could reach some kind of Virtual participation in proceedings commenced (Orders, consensus between us about the opportunities that these 4 June and 30 December 2020). trade deals offer, not only for businesses in Wales but for businesses in Scotland. [NB: [V] denotes a Member participating virtually.] Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): We all support new Speaker’s Statement export opportunities for Welsh businesses, but free trade deals must also be fair. There really is widespread Mr Speaker: Before we come to today’s business, concern that this proposed deal with Australia will I would like to remind the House that today is International disadvantage Welsh farmers, because they will be forced Day of Parliamentarism. The Inter-Parliamentary Union’s to compete against producers with lower animal welfare Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, and environmental standards. So I ask the Secretary of which protects MPs under threat, says it has found many State again: if he is unable or unwilling to protect our examples of politicians being persecuted simply for farmers, why will he not let Welsh Government Ministers doing their job. In recent experience, Members of this take part fully in trade talks, so they can stand up for House, peers and others have faced sanctions from them instead? China for speaking out against the human rights violations of the Uyghur people. That is completely unacceptable— Simon Hart: The hon. Lady makes an interesting point. I stress, completely unacceptable. The ability to speak Of course, we have involved numerous stakeholders in out on things that matter to us, however controversial, the preparation of these deals. That includes the Welsh is a basic human right of every British citizen. Members Government and some very positive responses from of this House must be able to speak out fiercely on farmers in Wales, who, by a majority, voted in favour of behalf of their constituents, and on important national leaving the European Union in 2016. They accept, as I and international issues. That is why, with colleagues do, that there are numerous opportunities. We have built from the British group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, into this process some protections—a 15-year transition I was delighted to attend the flag raising in New Palace period—as well as taking note of the fact that the Yard this morning to mark this special day, the principles Australians themselves say they cannot even fulfil their of which, I am sure, all Members will support. existing markets, let alone start flooding ours. Nia Griffith: It is not just selling out our farmers. Oral Answers to Questions Today, the Government are choosing to bury their head in the sand and pass up the last opportunity to renew vital steel safeguards. With our industry now dangerously exposed to cheap imports and the news that a deal is WALES imminent that will grant exemption to EU exports going to the US, our steel exports are going to be The Secretary of State was asked— desperately trying to compete. What will the Secretary of State now do to ensure that his Government negotiate International Trade Policy a similar deal that will protect our steel exports and enable them to enter the US without tariffs? How soon Richard Thomson (Gordon) (SNP): What recent can we have news on that? discussions he has had with (a) the Welsh Government and (b) other devolved Administrations on the UK Simon Hart: The hon. Lady and colleagues across the Government’s international trade policy. [901785] House have been resolute champions of the steel industry in Wales. I hope the UK Government’s support of The Secretary of State for Wales (Simon Hart): May I Celsa Steel in Cardiff during the pandemic is an indication align myself very much with your comments, Mr Speaker? that we, too, are prepared to put our money where our I know the whole House will share the sentiments you mouths are as far as supporting the industry, for all the expressed. reasons she has rightly highlighted. It would be rash of I have regular discussions with the Welsh Government me to predict what the statement or announcement and the First Minister on a wide range of subjects,including might be on this, other than to say that I expect it later the UK Government’s international trade policy. today, so she, and colleagues across the House, should get clarity on this matter before close of play today. Richard Thomson: Does the Minister share my concern that the devolved Governments have had no democratic Ben Lake (Ceredigion) (PC): Diolch yn fawr,Mr Speaker. involvement or oversight in the negotiation and approval There have been several instances in recent weeks where of the Australian trade deal, despite the disproportionate UK Government Ministers, including the Secretary of 245 Oral Answers 30 JUNE 2021 Oral Answers 246 State for International Trade, have dismissed concerns Bob Blackman [V]: I thank my right hon Friend for from the agricultural community regarding food standards his answer. Clearly, cases of infection in Wales have in this trade deal, especially Australia’s position on dropped dramatically. Over the last seven days, they are animal welfare. Can the Secretary of State explain to roughly 50 to 55 per 100,000, compared with the previous Welsh farmers how the UK Government will ensure fair highs of 500 per 100,000. In these circumstances, does competition and that imports from Australia will always he agree that it is about time that the Welsh Government match those expected of Welsh farmers? gave Welsh businesses some certainty or vision for when they can start to rebuild their lives, and that the Welsh Simon Hart: The hon. Gentleman, like me,has significant Government should come on board with the UK agricultural interests in his constituency in west Wales. Government road map out of the lockdown? We have had local conversations as well as national ones to try to reassure farmers—I think successfully, in Simon Hart: My hon. Friend’s question reveals quite some respects—that the transition period and our a sad contrast between the priorities of the Welsh commitments on animal welfare and environmental Government and the priorities of the UK Government standards will not be compromised. I do not think there at this moment. We read in the papers this week that the is anything I can say to him that suggests that that has Welsh Government are fixated on talking about new changed in any respect, but I urge him—I know he will tourism taxes. They are talking about constitutional take this seriously—to look at the trade deal as a huge reform, even going as far as reform of the House of opportunity for food and drink producers in Wales. As Lords. None of these seems to be consistent with the we work to challenge some of the myths that have been UK Government ambitions, which are jobs, livelihoods, written and spoken about the Australia deal, let us also investment and recovery, and they should be joining us use the platforms that we have to promote everything in that endeavour. that is good about it and how it will provide access to new markets of the sort that we have not had before. David Simmonds: Like my right hon. Friend, I hugely welcome the progress that has been made in Wales, but Jessica Morden (Newport East) (Lab): As my hon. what frustrates many is that the Welsh Government Friend the Member for Llanelli (Nia Griffith) said, this seem to be in the habit of announcing extended lockdowns Government have until tonight to step in and temporarily at short notice—[Laughter.]—without having due retain crucial steel import safeguards to protect our consultation with the Government. Does he agree that, steel industry from cheaper foreign imports. There is should this practice continue, we should expect Cardiff still no action from the Government. I hear what the Bay to meet the financial cost of supporting businesses Secretary of State says, but we will be waiting with keen to keep their heads above water during those lockdowns? interest. Is this what Ministers meant by promising to protect and champion our businesses post Brexit, and Simon Hart: I notice the laughter stopped at the what exactly have Wales Office Ministers done to intervene moment my hon. Friend raised that particular question. and stop this? I will say again what I have often said from the Dispatch Box: certainty is crucial in all this. I have always preferred Simon Hart: I assure the hon. Lady that we have been a UK-wide response to covid, in whatever respect that in regular touch with our colleagues in Government on might come, because it inspires confidence and compliance.