Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Graham Stuart and Robert Goodwill

Thursday 23rd January 2020 Commons Chamber

[Graham Stuart]

With our colleagues at UK Export Finance, we established a steel export taskforce and we are very keen to promote steel exports. The hon. Lady is right that we should do everything we can to ensure that British steel is used in the UK. I am happy to work, both here and abroad, to make sure we support the steel industry going forward.

[Mr Robert Goodwill (Scarborough and Whitby) (Con)]

3. What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential economic merits of free ports.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Trade (Graham Stuart)]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is championing the merits of free ports across the Government, in conjunction with Treasury Ministers, including the Exchequer Secretary, who is the constituency neighbour of my right hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Mr Goodwill).

[Mr Goodwill]

On 12 December, a blue wave swept up the Yorkshire coast from the mouth of the Humber to the mouth of the Tees as coastal communities, some for the first time, put their trust in the Conservatives to deliver on their priorities. Does the Minister agree that the former SSI British Steel site on the south bank of the Tees would be an ideal site not only as a deep water terminal for the export of polyhalite fertiliser, but as Britain’s first free port?