China and Japan

Richard Baker Excerpts

Monday 2nd February 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

We raised all the sensitive issues, and we did it in direct terms, and in the room. That, to my mind, is the right way to try to make progress on these very important issues.

[Richard Baker (Glenrothes and Mid Fife) (Lab)]

It was a privilege to serve with Jim Wallace in Holyrood, and I associate myself with the tributes to him.

We have had trade deals with Europe, China and India worth hundreds of millions of pounds to Scottish businesses, and defence contracts that secure thousands of jobs. Can the Prime Minister tell us how he will build on this success for Scotland? Does he agree that it is about time the Scottish Government showed the same ambition for Scottish businesses?

[The Prime Minister]

It is astonishing that the Scottish National party is simply not interested in the progress that we have made on the India trade deal, which is hugely beneficial to Scottish businesses, or in the halving of tariffs that comes into effect today in relation to China. Businesses in Scotland know exactly what that means to them, which is why they are celebrating. SNP Members cannot bring themselves to even welcome it.