Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Alistair Carmichael Excerpts
Wednesday 23rd November 2016

(8 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Margot James Portrait Margot James
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My ministerial colleagues in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will have had discussions, and I will ask one of them to notify the hon. Gentleman of their outcome.

Alistair Carmichael Portrait Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD)
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In the Northern Isles some of our most important exporting businesses are in the very successful food and drink sector, but representatives of the sector tell me that it is almost impossible for them to plan for their future until they know what access they will have to EU markets. Will the Minister ensure that their voices are heard in these negotiations, as well as those of the big boys in financial services and the automotive industries?

Margot James Portrait Margot James
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My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has regular meetings with representatives of the Scottish fishing industry and the agriculturel sector, and Ministers throughout the Government engage in many discussions with representatives of the Scotch Whisky Association about how they can continue to build on the strengths of their exports beyond the EU as well as within the single market.