Brexit: Trade

Lord Harrison Excerpts

Tuesday 1st November 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Pearson of Rannoch]

My Lords—

[Lord Harrison (Lab)]

My Lords, will the Minister give an example of the elements of trade—

[The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Evans of Bowes Park) (Con)]

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Pearson, has been trying to get in on a number of occasions, so we will go to him and then to the Labour Benches.

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Mobarik]

I agree that there is still much potential for the United Kingdom once we leave the EU. We obviously want to retain the business that we already have with the EU, but beyond that there is scope for increase and that is why we are embarking on these scoping exercises. My noble friend Lord Price has visited more than 15 countries in the last few months and spoken with 200 businesspeople. We will continue to do that good work ahead of leaving the EU.

[Lord Harrison]

Can the Minister give an example—one example—of trade with Australia that is forbidden now because of our membership of the European Union?

[Baroness Mobarik]

As far as I am aware there is no forbidden trade with Australia. We want to enhance what we already have, in terms of regulatory reforms and so on.