Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tom Brake and Graham Stuart

Thursday 29th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Graham Stuart]

This is a truly grim and sad time for those who want to see our departure from the EU lead to a collapse in investment and exports, as instead we have seen the exact opposite. We had record levels of foreign direct investment in this country. We have an improving climate for that and we have record numbers of exports from the hon. Gentleman’s area—from Yorkshire. It is about time he put the gloom away, because the facts keep defying him.

[Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)]

Actually, it is £500 million less in the automotive sector. On supporting SMEs, will the Minister explain what the Government are going to do to help those businesses export to China and India? He will be aware that Germany, within the EU, exports twice as much to India as we do and four times as much within the EU as we do.

[Graham Stuart]

I am afraid the right hon. Gentleman is a member of the same club. I hate to share this with the House, but exports to China were up by 30% last year.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tom Brake and Graham Stuart

Thursday 11th January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Graham Stuart]

As usual, I am afraid, Opposition Front Benchers are confusing inputs with outputs and outcomes. We are focused on promoting exports. We are doing that successfully, building on the position in 2010, and that is why we are seeing a record level of the manufacturing and other exports on which the hon. Gentleman’s constituents depend.

[Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)]

3. What progress he has made on securing trade deals with non-EU countries.