Oral Answers to Questions

Helen Goodman Excerpts
Thursday 12th October 2017

(6 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Greg Hands Portrait Greg Hands
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The whole Government are engaging very closely with those in authority in Northern Ireland, as the hon. Gentleman knows, and also engaging with the other side of the border. I should be meeting the Irish Trade Minister tomorrow.

Helen Goodman Portrait Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab)
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Given what the Minister says, why have the Government not responded positively to the request that Singapore made 10 months ago to revive the third country training partnership, which in their words would support global Britain’s role in the Commonwealth and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations?

Greg Hands Portrait Greg Hands
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The Government take the Commonwealth and ASEAN extremely seriously. In fact, yesterday we hosted a celebration for ASEAN’s anniversary, and we actually hosted the first Commonwealth Trade Ministers’ meeting ever, in March, here in London, and we are making extensive preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting next year.