Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and David Jones

Wednesday 19th October 2022 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

We are facing very, very difficult economic times. I took the decision I had to in the interests of economic stability. What is important is that we work together, including with the SNP, to get through this winter and grow the economy.

[Mr David Jones (Clwyd West) (Con)]

Q8. The Prime Minister is to be commended for securing the passage of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill through this House without amendment before the summer recess. Can she confirm that it is the Government’s intention that the Bill should remain unamended, and, in particular, that the European Court of Justice should have no jurisdiction in any part of the United Kingdom?

[The Prime Minister]

I am completely committed to the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill. It deals with the very specific issues we face in Northern Ireland, the free flow of trade and making sure that the people of Northern Ireland are able to benefit from being part of the United Kingdom. I can tell my right hon. Friend that any negotiations will reflect the same position that is in the protocol Bill.

Northern Ireland Protocol

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and David Jones

Tuesday 17th May 2022 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

As I have made clear, our proposals are legal in international law and we will set out the legal position in due course.

[Mr David Jones (Clwyd West) (Con)]

The Foreign Secretary has put forward sensible and practical proposals for protecting the integrity of the EU single market, and they could be quite easily reciprocated by the European Union. Has she put the proposals to Mr Šefčovič? If so, what was his response? If he has refused to accept them, what reason has he given?

Free Trade Agreement Negotiations: Australia

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and David Jones

Thursday 17th June 2021 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

It might help if the hon. Gentleman went on a British Sign Language course.

[Mr David Jones (Clwyd West) (Con)]

May I congratulate my right hon. Friend on securing this agreement? As she will know, certain farming organisations have expressed concern about this deal. Will she repeat once again that there will be no reduction in the standards of food that will be allowed to be offered for sale on the British market? Further, will she invite those organisations to, rather than express concern, work with and her Department to secure the best possible outcome of the agreement she has achieved?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I thank my right hon. Friend. There are huge opportunities for British products overseas. There is a growing global market for these products. The vast majority of Australian beef and lamb goes to the Asian markets, where prices are higher. The opportunity for Welsh lamb and beef lies in getting better access to those markets so that we too can benefit from those higher prices. I welcome the opportunity to work with the farming industry. I have already talked to the National Farmers Union about how we can work closely together to promote British exports and get more agriculture counsellors into those markets so that we can realise the opportunities of this deal.

UK-US Trade Deal

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and David Jones

Monday 2nd March 2020 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

The hon. Member will notice that we are very clear in our negotiating objectives about the protection of intellectual property for the creative industries, and about the opportunities for better visas and travel. We will be working on that throughout the process.

[Mr David Jones (Clwyd West) (Con)]

US public procurement potentially offers exciting opportunities for British companies to access an enormous market. However, as my right hon. Friend will know, much public procurement in the United States is conducted at state and municipality level. How does she propose to reflect that state of affairs in any future free trade agreement?

[Elizabeth Truss]

My right hon. Friend is right. There are issues that are dealt with at a federal level and a state level. We will be seeking an agreement that secures access to US Government procurement at a federal level. We will also be looking, in the first instance, at the major states as well to gain more access for British companies.

Exiting the EU: Costs

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and David Jones

Wednesday 29th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

I have been very clear with the House that we are preparing for all eventualities. Of course, looking at the specifics of those agencies is a part of that.

[Mr David Jones (Clwyd West) (Con)]

As my right hon. Friend pointed out, the Prime Minister made a fair and generous offer to the European Union in her Florence speech. Given that article 50 provides that the negotiations that are under way should take account of the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, does my right hon. Friend agree that it is high time that the European Union reciprocated and started adhering to its obligations under the treaty?

[Elizabeth Truss]

As my right hon. Friend points out, it is important that we move on to the next stage of the negotiations and talk about our long-term relationship with the European Union once we have left. That is exactly what we seek to do.