Oral Answers to Questions

Alan Brown Excerpts

Thursday 23rd March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Dr Fox]

Yes, and we have actually invested a large amount of money in supporting the agreement itself and in ensuring that it can be introduced in as beneficial a way in as many countries and as quickly as possible, because, as my right hon. Friend correctly says, this agreement will have the greatest benefit to some of the poorest countries in the world, which is why the United Kingdom, under Governments of both parties, has been so supportive of it.

[Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)]

For well over a century the UK has not had security of food supply, but has instead always relied on imports. What will WTO tariffs of up to 40% do for the price of food for hard-working families already squeezed by the Tory Government’s policies?

[Dr Fox]

The hon. Gentleman perhaps unintentionally raises this important point: where we have genuinely free trade it benefits consumers, and where we can have an open global trading environment, it is likely to make the incomes of those on low incomes in particular go further. We should welcome an open trading environment, which I hope the Scottish National party does.

--- Later in debate ---

The Minister for Women and Equalities was asked—

[Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)]

1. What assessment she has made of the potential effect on disability rights of the UK exiting the EU.

[Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)]

14. What assessment she has made of the potential effect on disability rights of the UK exiting the EU.

[Alan Brown]

I thank the Minister for her answer, but she will be aware that a lot of her Conservative colleagues are desperate to do away with many of the regulations. As we go forward post Brexit, will she guarantee that there will be no rush to deregulate and there will not be a reduction in the statutory protections available to disabled people?

[Caroline Nokes]

The hon. Gentleman mentions my colleagues, but I remind him that the Conservative party has a proud history of protecting disability rights. It was under a Conservative Government that we passed the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which made it unlawful to discriminate against people in respect of their disabilities. The UK is a world leader in support for disabled people, and we are proud of the work that we do to support people with disabilities and health conditions, both in this country and abroad.