Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Christina Rees Excerpts
Wednesday 5th December 2018

(5 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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The hon. Gentleman points to a range of economic scenarios that have been painted, but they do not take into account any response that the Government will make. Of course, a responsible Government will respond to the economic situation as it emerges. I am excited about the prospect of striking free trade deals right around the world as an independent trading nation once again.

Christina Rees Portrait Christina Rees (Neath) (Lab/Co-op)
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I welcome the Minister to his place. On 2 May, the Secretary of State told the House that

“we are keen to negotiate to allow for the most frictionless trade possible with the European Union.”—[Official Report, 2 May 2018; Vol. 640, c. 300.]

Why does the term “frictionless trade” not appear in the political declaration?

Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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I kindly point the hon. Lady to the political declaration, which says “as frictionless as possible”. In my mind, that can include frictionless.

Christina Rees Portrait Christina Rees
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That just is not good enough. The Secretary of State has given his backing to an agreement that does not even mention Wales, let alone protect workers’ rights, environmental standards, consumer protections or living standards. Is not the reality that this is a bad deal for Wales that fails to give Welsh people the certainty needed to safeguard jobs and livelihoods?

Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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The deal that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has negotiated gives us the certainty of access to EU markets, but it also gives us new opportunities to strike trade deals around the world. I say to the hon. Lady that I am not sure what certainty a further referendum would bring, if that is her policy.