Oral Answers to Questions

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Thursday 13th September 2018 Commons Chamber

[George Hollingbery]

As the hon. Gentleman knows, we are negotiating with our partners who are currently signatories to agreements with the European Union to create continuity for businesses and to make sure those agreements are put in place. The elements to which those countries have already signed up will be included in those agreements, and I hope he will take some comfort from that.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

We trade effectively without them. They often come with producer-interest strings attached. They might be nice to have, but we do not need them, do we?

[George Hollingbery]

Last time I stood at this Dispatch Box, I said that I was not entirely sure I understood a particular question.

We will negotiate free trade agreements that are to the benefit of the United Kingdom—we have offensive and defensive interests—and, when we conclude those agreements, I have no doubt they will be good for the United Kingdom.