Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Douglas Chapman and Liam Fox

Thursday 14th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Douglas Chapman (Dunfermline and West Fife) (SNP)]

T4. Given the inevitable downturn that will come from any kind of Brexit that we end up with, what consideration has the Minister given to the introduction of free ports to boost economic activity in areas of low economic performance just now?

[Dr Fox]

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for the interest that he has shown in this issue. The experience of other countries in using the ability of free ports to increase economic activity is valuable and something that the Government are considering in an optimistic and positive way.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Douglas Chapman and Liam Fox

Thursday 7th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Douglas Chapman (Dunfermline and West Fife) (SNP)]

6. What recent estimate he has made of the value of the European single market to UK service exports.

[The Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade (Dr Liam Fox)]

In 2017, 46.8% of UK services exports went to the European single market—including the European economic area and Switzerland—worth around £130.5 billion. That represents around 21% of total UK exports. Leaving the EU gives us the freedom to pursue an independent trade policy with countries around the world that reflects our unique strengths in services.

[Douglas Chapman]

I thank the Secretary of State for his response, but last week the Office for National Statistics published the international trade and services statistics for 2017, which showed that financial services proved to be the largest service product exported globally by UK businesses and that the EU made up nearly half the UK’s service exports. A key part of business relationships with clients in the EU is the ability to travel freely, known as passporting rights. Has the Secretary of State made an assessment of what the end of freedom of movement, including for labour, will mean for services under the Prime Minister’s deal?

[Dr Fox]

Actually, the share of our exports to the European Union accounted for by services is less than our average exported to the rest of the world. In fact, the future of our services will be dependent on global services arrangements, and outside the EU we will have a golden opportunity to shape the global services agenda in a way that suits the United Kingdom’s best interests. It is time that we in this House started to reflect the optimism and confidence of the British public who voted to leave the EU.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Douglas Chapman and Liam Fox

Thursday 15th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Douglas Chapman (Dunfermline and West Fife) (SNP)]

A recent parliamentary question revealed that the involvement of Scottish companies in the recent trade visit by the Prime Minister to India was very limited. What extra effort can the Secretary of State make to ensure that Scottish companies are better represented by the UK to support them in exporting into new international markets?

[Dr Fox]

We have repeatedly said that this Department is open to all businesses in the United Kingdom when it comes to seeking our support for exports, and I hope that the Scottish Government will encourage businesses in Scotland to work with the Department for International Trade, so that we can maximise that. We have made that offer, and we hope that they will take it up.