Trade: Trans-Pacific Partnership

Debate between Lord Grimstone of Boscobel and Baroness Falkner of Margravine

Wednesday 23rd September 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord Grimstone of Boscobel (Con)]

I thank my noble friend for her question. Of course, we will accede to the CPTPP only if we are happy that the arrangements we are acceding to are in the UK’s interest. We are confident that we will be able to reach that position with its members.

[Baroness Falkner of Margravine (CB)]

My Lords, does the noble Lord agree that we face two spheres of internet governance at the moment: one controlled by authoritarian regimes, rife with surveillance; and the other, western, free and accessible to all? Does he therefore agree that, alongside the CPTPP, another priority should be digital FTAs with Japan, Australia and India?

[Lord Grimstone of Boscobel (Con)]

My Lords, in the recent agreement in principle with Japan that we were so pleased to reach, there is an extensive data and digital services chapter that we hope will be a model for our future free trade agreements. The points made by the noble Baroness are important and are always in our mind when we negotiate these agreements.

Russia: Trade

Debate between Lord Grimstone of Boscobel and Baroness Falkner of Margravine

Tuesday 28th July 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord Grimstone of Boscobel]

My Lords, we are quite clear that trade does not have to come at the expense of labour, the environment, human rights or sustainable development. We use trade because we want to ensure that economic growth and development and environmental protection can go hand in hand.

[Baroness Falkner of Margravine (Non-Afl) [V]]

My Lords, the Minister will know that financial services are in surplus in our trade with Russia. Does he agree that however desirable that might be, it does not benefit the City of London to be referred to as a laundromat for Russians to wash their dirty money? Will he call together the City institutions to discuss how the measures in the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 can be tightened, as clearly the current institutions do not seem to have either sufficient funding or the powers to regulate them?

[Lord Grimstone of Boscobel]

My Lords, as a previous banker, I abhor illicit finance working its way through the City. It benefits nobody, and no respectable City firm would want to touch it. At every opportunity, I will certainly raise the points that have just been made.