Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damien Moore and Ranil Jayawardena

Thursday 15th April 2021 Commons Chamber

[Damien Moore (Southport) (Con)]

What recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of strengthening the UK’s trading relationship with Tunisia. [R]

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Trade (Mr Ranil Jayawardena)]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his work as the Prime Minister’s trade envoy to Tunisia and Libya. There is great merit in strengthening the trading relationship with Tunisia. Our trade deal entered into force at the beginning of this year and it provides a platform to deepen trade and investment. As he knows, we are already supporting businesses such as Unilever, AstraZeneca and Vodafone, who already operate in Tunisia, and we look forward to backing British businesses to do even more.

[Damien Moore [V]]

Tunisia is a leading exporter of olive oil and wants to export more to the UK, but minimum quota requirements based on the last two years are making this difficult. Will my hon. Friend look into this so that trade is made easy with Tunisia, which is eager to build an even stronger trading partnership with the UK?

[Mr Jayawardena]

I am aware of this matter and am keen to make sure that businesses can make the most of our transition to trade agreements, so I will look into it. I look forward to working with my hon. Friend and my Tunisian counterpart to open up and promote opportunities for British and Tunisian businesses; more trade means more jobs.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damien Moore and Ranil Jayawardena

Wednesday 5th February 2020 Commons Chamber

[Damien Moore (Southport) (Con)]

8. What recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland.

[Mr Ranil Jayawardena (North East Hampshire) (Con)]

11. What recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland.