Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Brendan O'Hara and Elizabeth Truss(5 years, 1 month ago)
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Brendan O'Hara (Argyll and Bute) (SNP)
The Secretary of State for International Trade (Elizabeth Truss)
We 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 Minister has also raised the issue with President Trump.
Brendan O'Hara
In the days following this announcement, the Government were asleep at the wheel. We now have only 12 hours before this tariff is implemented. What action will the Secretary of State take in the next 12 hours to delay this? If she cannot delay it, what will she do to mitigate the impact, particularly on small and medium-sized distillers, which rely so heavily on the US market?
Elizabeth Truss
I 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 to the Americans that it is not helpful in terms of our relationship with them to see these tariffs placed on such an iconic industry, among other industries in the UK.
Arms Export Licences (Saudi Arabia)
Debate between Brendan O'Hara and Elizabeth Truss(5 years, 1 month ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.
Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.
This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record
Elizabeth Truss
The question refers specifically to the process of issuing export licences, and that is what I have been focusing on.
Brendan O'Hara (Argyll and Bute) (SNP)
Is it not the case that this Government will always seek to break their own rules and turn a blind eye to breaches of humanitarian law when there is money to be made and deals to be had?
Elizabeth Truss
As soon as this issue was brought to my attention on 12 September, I took action to ensure that such things cannot happen.