Copyright (Rights and Remuneration of Musicians, etc.) Bill

Debate between Andy Carter and Graham Stuart

Friday 3rd December 2021 Commons Chamber

[Andy Carter]

One of the great pleasures of coming into this House was meeting the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart). I remember, having worked in radio, hearing his songs on the radio, including “Loch Lomond” from his days in Runrig. I was able to go away and listen to his songs, and in fact I have some of them on my phone now, so having listened to him speak, I can listen to him sing as well.

[Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con)]

I know which is preferable!

[Andy Carter]

Absolutely. One of the great advantages of the internet is that it has opened up to us so many artists, some of whom were, I have to say, before my day. The internet allows such discovery to continue in a way that perhaps would not have been possible without it.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andy Carter and Graham Stuart

Thursday 8th October 2020 Commons Chamber

[Marco Longhi (Dudley North) (Con)]

What recent assessment she has made of the value of technology sector exports to the UK.

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

Technology is an important and growing sector. In fact, sales of our digital tech exports totalled £23 billion last year, and Oxford Economics thinks they will be worth up to £31 billion by 2025. Our ambitious approach to digital trade in free trade agreements will boost exports, and support economic growth, job creation and prosperity. We have negotiated strong measures, not least in Japan, and will seek similar outcomes in our talks with the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-Pacific partnership.

[Andy Carter]

Will the Minister tell us a little bit more about the UK-Japan free trade agreement, and particularly how it will help businesses in Warrington South and the north-west to do more business with Japan?

[Graham Stuart]

There are specific issues including not having to worry about the added cost of setting up data servers in Japan because of the elements that look at data transfer; a guarantee that the trade secrets underpinning innovations of entrepreneurs in my hon. Friend’s constituency are protected and do not have to be shared across borders; and a clear commitment that entrepreneurs on both sides of the agreement will be able to operate in an open, secure and trustworthy online environment.