Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Colin Clark and Greg Hands

Thursday 22nd February 2018 Commons Chamber

[Colin Clark (Gordon) (Con)]

4. What steps he is taking to strengthen UK trading relations with Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth countries in the Pacific.

[The Minister for Trade Policy (Greg Hands)]

We have the opportunity to enhance our global trading relationships, including those with the countries with which we share bonds of history and friendship. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State travelled to Australia and New Zealand in November to promote free trade and deepen those trading relationships. The April Commonwealth summit here in London will provide an opportunity for us to continue that work with all member states.

[Colin Clark]

Has my right hon. Friend considered how UK agriculture will compete with our Commonwealth cousins when we agree a free trade deal after leaving the customs union?

[Greg Hands]

I praise my hon. Friend for his distinguished business career in the sector before coming to this House; it means he brings real expertise to the House. He will know that we have established trade working groups with both Australia and New Zealand to explore possibilities in trade and investment. They will include agriculture, but it is too early to be sure how it will be covered in those and other future trading arrangements. The New Zealanders are very interested in this—the New Zealand High Commission recently wrote to the International Trade Committee saying:

“Given the complementarity of our two economies and our deep bilateral ties,”

they want to do something with us, and we very much agree.