Oral Answers to Questions

Scott Benton Excerpts

Wednesday 8th September 2021 Commons Chamber

[Iain Stewart]

I am very happy to agree with the hon. Gentleman. Whether it is on learning the lessons from covid and making sure that our public services can catch up or whether it is on tackling drug abuse and a whole range of other public service and social issues, that should be the primary focus of the Scottish Government, not obsessing with another divisive referendum.

[Scott Benton (Blackpool South) (Con)]

7. What recent assessment he has made of the effect of new free trade agreements on trading opportunities for Scotland.

[Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)]

10. What recent assessment he has made of the effect of new free trade agreements on trading opportunities for Scotland.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (David Duguid)]

This Government have already struck trade deals with more than 68 countries as well as the EU worth £744 billion a year. This will create new markets for Scotland’s exporters, including our world-leading food and drinks sector. The Department for International Trade team based in Edinburgh is also helping Scottish businesses thrive and grow internationally. Last week, I was delighted to meet the new DIT director for Scotland heading up this team, and I look forward to planning further engagement with her and her team.

[Scott Benton]

Scotland’s businesses will be among the main beneficiaries of the trade deals we have already secured around the world, with our historic agreement with Japan boosting trading opportunities for over 500 Scottish businesses alone. Does my hon. Friend agree with me that we will now be able to use our new status as an independent trading nation to promote the very best that Scottish industries have to offer to the world?

[David Duguid]

I completely agree with my hon. Friend: he is absolutely right. This Government are working hard to strike new trade deals around the world that will benefit key business sectors and consumers across Scotland and across the whole of the UK. We are opening new opportunities for iconic Scottish and British industries to thrive overseas.