Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Hayes and Graham Stuart

Thursday 29th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings) (Con)]

T4. SMEs are the backbone of our economy. As a Minister, I tried to help SMEs in the security sector to export. Food and farming businesses in Lincolnshire would like to do the same, but they need encouragement, advice and support. Will the Secretary of State meet me and a small group of others to see how we can help to feed the world and make it safe too?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Trade (Graham Stuart)]

I am grateful for my right hon. Friend’s question. I would of course be delighted to meet him and colleagues to discuss food and drink, which is so important both to his constituency and mine. I am delighted to say that last year food and drink exports went up by £2 billion to £22 billion, and that, for the first time ever, we have a Department of State whose only role is to focus on the international economic interests of this nation. I will be delighted to meet him to discuss how we can do more.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Hayes and Graham Stuart

Thursday 22nd February 2018 Commons Chamber

[Graham Stuart]

My Department’s ODI support pilots have successfully demonstrated the impact that the Government can have in supporting UK businesses to overcome barriers to market access and to expand overseas. By harnessing the private sector wherever possible and focusing Government interventions only on market failures, my Department has successfully supported overseas investment for a range of UK businesses in six global markets.

[Mr John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings) (Con)]

8. What recent estimate he has made of the UK’s trade deficit in goods and services.