Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Greg Clark and Angela Smith

Tuesday 17th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab)]

19. What assessment his Department has made of the effect of the Government’s proposed facilitated customs arrangement on UK businesses.

[The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Greg Clark)]

The proposed arrangement is a significant advance on the Mansion House speech. Instead of just minimising frictions at the border, it provides for zero frictions. That has been welcomed by businesses generally, including, at the Farnborough air show yesterday, Boeing, which is of course an important investor in the hon. Lady’s city.

[Angela Smith]

I thank the Secretary of State for his answer, but I am somewhat surprised. The Government’s White Paper tells us that the facilitated customs arrangement is designed to

“preserve frictionless trade for the majority of UK goods trade, and reduce frictions for UK exporters and importers.”

Will the Minister please tell us which goods will be excluded by the arrangement, and what level of friction business can continue to expect?

[Greg Clark]

We are very clear about the fact that, as has been recognised by businesses up and down the country, the proposal provides for zero frictions at the border. That is very important for advanced manufacturing, which is itself very important in the city that the hon. Lady represents.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Greg Clark and Angela Smith

Tuesday 8th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab)]

T8. Ministers spoke earlier about securing the best possible trade deal for the UK in the context of Brexit, but what evidence does the Secretary of State have that a new UK-EU trade agreement can be completed within two years? Do the Government accept that if such an agreement is not possible, an interim transitional arrangement will be required?

[Greg Clark]

We first have to make sure, through consultation with business, industry and other groups across the country, that we get our negotiating mandate informed and right. Then we need to begin the negotiations, and then we can make those judgments.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Greg Clark and Angela Smith

Tuesday 13th September 2016 Commons Chamber

[Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab)]

T8. The expansion of Heathrow would create a demand for 370,000 tonnes of steel and secure 700 steel jobs, so it is not only in the interests of the UK economy more generally that we expand Heathrow but specifically in the interests of the manufacturing sector. Why do we not just get on with it, have the vote here in the Chamber and get on with the building of the third runway?

[Greg Clark]

We do need an upgrade across many different forms of infrastructure, and that will have very important benefits to the steel industry, including in Sheffield.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Greg Clark and Angela Smith

Monday 30th January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab)]

13. When he plans to publish information on transitional arrangements in respect of his national planning policy framework.

[The Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Greg Clark)]

We are committed to publishing the national planning policy framework by the end of March, having taken account the consultation responses, and the framework will include transitional arrangements.

[Angela Smith]

I am glad to hear the Minister say that, as there have been reports that the Government are minded to introduce a transitional period of 18 months. Will he confirm what the transitional period will be—how much time will be allowed? Will he also explain why Members and local authorities have had to learn some of the details from the media?

[Greg Clark]

I would be keen to understand that myself. We made a commitment that we would consult and listen to the responses, and the transitional arrangements were included. I gave a commitment to work closely with the Local Government Association on the transitional arrangements, and we are having those conversations.