To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect British wool businesses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect British wool businesses.

My Lords, first, I wish a very happy new year to all noble Lords, clerks and doorkeepers. The UK is committed to multilateralism and a rules-based trading system with the WTO at its core. The system provides stability and predictability for global growth and prosperity. We are working with international partners to strengthen the multilateral trading system and to reform the WTO so that it remains relevant in the evolving global scenario.

My Lords, first, I wish a very happy new year to all noble Lords, clerks and doorkeepers. The UK is committed to multilateralism and a rules-based trading system with the WTO at its core. The system provides stability and predictability for global growth and prosperity. We are working with international partners to strengthen the multilateral trading system and to reform the WTO so that it remains relevant in the evolving global scenario.

My Lords, I thank the Minister for both his good wishes and his reply. Does he agree that protectionism and tariffs are very great threats to growth both here and internationally, as we learned in the 1930s? If President Trump proceeds

with his dangerous idea of imposing more tariffs, I urge the Government not to join the EU in any tit-for-tat retaliation but to maintain an open trading system. Above all, I urge them not to align with the EU on future industries such as AI when Europe so badly lags behind the United States in those areas, and will only incur the wrath of President Trump.

My Lords, I thank the Minister for both his good wishes and his reply. Does he agree that protectionism and tariffs are very great threats to growth both here and internationally, as we learned in the 1930s? If President Trump proceeds

with his dangerous idea of imposing more tariffs, I urge the Government not to join the EU in any tit-for-tat retaliation but to maintain an open trading system. Above all, I urge them not to align with the EU on future industries such as AI when Europe so badly lags behind the United States in those areas, and will only incur the wrath of President Trump.

My Lords, the noble Lord makes a very important point. We are concerned about any potential threat of a shift towards protectionism and tariffs. The Government will continue to make a very strong case for free trade. After all, we are an open trading economy, and we benefit from that in our trading relationships with other countries. On the point about President Trump, let us not get ahead of ourselves; we will just have to wait and see when he gets into government.

My Lords, the noble Lord makes a very important point. We are concerned about any potential threat of a shift towards protectionism and tariffs. The Government will continue to make a very strong case for free trade. After all, we are an open trading economy, and we benefit from that in our trading relationships with other countries. On the point about President Trump, let us not get ahead of ourselves; we will just have to wait and see when he gets into government.

My Lords, first, I express the immense sadness on these Benches at the passing of our noble friend Lady Randerson. She was a wonderful colleague and a great contributor to your Lordships’ House. She will be sadly missed.

While the UK’s recent accession to the CPTPP may have had strategic importance, in market terms it was, in essence, insignificant, not least because that market is many thousands of miles away. I ask the Minister to reaffirm the importance of a huge market just several tens of miles away from our shores, not least given what we are starting to get from the United States. Can he tell your Lordships’ House what practical steps the Government are taking for better trade with the EU? Specifically, will the makers and manufacturers of the UK have their access to the EU eased this year?

My Lords, first, I express the immense sadness on these Benches at the passing of our noble friend Lady Randerson. She was a wonderful colleague and a great contributor to your Lordships’ House. She will be sadly missed.

While the UK’s recent accession to the CPTPP may have had strategic importance, in market terms it was, in essence, insignificant, not least because that market is many thousands of miles away. I ask the Minister to reaffirm the importance of a huge market just several tens of miles away from our shores, not least given what we are starting to get from the United States. Can he tell your Lordships’ House what practical steps the Government are taking for better trade with the EU? Specifically, will the makers and manufacturers of the UK have their access to the EU eased this year?

My Lords, we on these Benches send our deepest condolences to Baroness Randerson’s friends and family.

The UK’s accession to the CPTPP takes a plurilateral Pacific deal and makes it a truly global one, bringing new opportunities for British businesses and supporting jobs across the country. The UK is the first country to accede to the CPTTP and the first European member of the CPTPP, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to multilateral trade. As far as the EU is concerned, the Prime Minister has stated many times that we are resetting our relationship with Europe. We want to ensure that our businesses have a much better working relationship with Europe. We will have to wait and see what happens from there.

My Lords, we on these Benches send our deepest condolences to Baroness Randerson’s friends and family.

The UK’s accession to the CPTPP takes a plurilateral Pacific deal and makes it a truly global one, bringing new opportunities for British businesses and supporting jobs across the country. The UK is the first country to accede to the CPTTP and the first European member of the CPTPP, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to multilateral trade. As far as the EU is concerned, the Prime Minister has stated many times that we are resetting our relationship with Europe. We want to ensure that our businesses have a much better working relationship with Europe. We will have to wait and see what happens from there.

My Lords, in the context of a dispute about subsidies between Airbus and Boeing, in 2019 the United States imposed a 25% tariff on single malt Scotch whisky, which was levied between October 2019 and March 2021. It cost the Scottish whisky industry £1 million of revenue a day. In total, £600 million in exports was lost to the United States. This was suspended in June 2021 for five years and is due to come in again in June 2026. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that the Scottish whisky industry does not once again suffer collateral damage in a trade war that is not of its making?

My Lords, in the context of a dispute about subsidies between Airbus and Boeing, in 2019 the United States imposed a 25% tariff on single malt Scotch whisky, which was levied between October 2019 and March 2021. It cost the Scottish whisky industry £1 million of revenue a day. In total, £600 million in exports was lost to the United States. This was suspended in June 2021 for five years and is due to come in again in June 2026. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that the Scottish whisky industry does not once again suffer collateral damage in a trade war that is not of its making?

I thank the noble Lord for that question. The Scottish whisky industry is the second most productive sector in Scotland, ranked just after renewable energies, and contributes £7 billion towards the UK economy. People from right across the world, in India, China and Japan, enjoy the flavoursome nature of Scotch whisky. We should encourage more people to enjoy Scotch whisky. I might need a stiff one after this.

I thank the noble Lord for that question. The Scottish whisky industry is the second most productive sector in Scotland, ranked just after renewable energies, and contributes £7 billion towards the UK economy. People from right across the world, in India, China and Japan, enjoy the flavoursome nature of Scotch whisky. We should encourage more people to enjoy Scotch whisky. I might need a stiff one after this.

My Lords, what is the Government’s policy on whether free trade agreements should include a human rights clause?

My Lords, what is the Government’s policy on whether free trade agreements should include a human rights clause?

My Lords, the noble Baroness makes a very important point. The Government’s policy is to engage with countries whose human rights records fall short, as opposed to isolation and the removal of our ability to support high standards. By having strong economic relationships with partners, the Government can have more open discussions on a range of issues, including human rights. We will push for this in any future FTAs.

My Lords, the noble Baroness makes a very important point. The Government’s policy is to engage with countries whose human rights records fall short, as opposed to isolation and the removal of our ability to support high standards. By having strong economic relationships with partners, the Government can have more open discussions on a range of issues, including human rights. We will push for this in any future FTAs.

My Lords, can the Minister bring us up to date with the latest developments on the critical minerals negotiations between the US and the UK? When they began, they seemed to have a very strong protectionist element in them against British exports and particularly the British motor industry—has there been any improvement? Are we getting to a better situation than the initial one, which was very hostile to our exports and interests?

My Lords, can the Minister bring us up to date with the latest developments on the critical minerals negotiations between the US and the UK? When they began, they seemed to have a very strong protectionist element in them against British exports and particularly the British motor industry—has there been any improvement? Are we getting to a better situation than the initial one, which was very hostile to our exports and interests?

My Lords, the noble Lord makes a very important point; regretfully, I do not have substantive details on that, and I will come back to him. In general principles, the UK is a very supportive and open trading economy, and we will push for that in any of our trade relationships and negotiations with other countries.

My Lords, the noble Lord makes a very important point; regretfully, I do not have substantive details on that, and I will come back to him. In general principles, the UK is a very supportive and open trading economy, and we will push for that in any of our trade relationships and negotiations with other countries.

My Lords, does the Minister agree that “tariff” is merely a synonym for “tax” and that it does not apply simply to the producers of the exporting countries but also to the consumers of the importing countries? That goes in the direction of the Question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Lamont.

My Lords, does the Minister agree that “tariff” is merely a synonym for “tax” and that it does not apply simply to the producers of the exporting countries but also to the consumers of the importing countries? That goes in the direction of the Question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Lamont.

The noble Lord makes a very interesting point. Tariffs are not good for trade: they will make things more expensive. We have benefited from tariff-free trading relationships with many countries, and consumers have also benefited from cheaper prices, so we must constantly engage with our trading partners to have tariff-free trade.

The noble Lord makes a very interesting point. Tariffs are not good for trade: they will make things more expensive. We have benefited from tariff-free trading relationships with many countries, and consumers have also benefited from cheaper prices, so we must constantly engage with our trading partners to have tariff-free trade.

Do the Government accept that there must be a level playing field and free trade also has to be fair trade? Given that nearly all other countries’ public sector purchases give priority to their own domestic producers, is it not time that we did the same and supported British firms and British workers?

Do the Government accept that there must be a level playing field and free trade also has to be fair trade? Given that nearly all other countries’ public sector purchases give priority to their own domestic producers, is it not time that we did the same and supported British firms and British workers?

My Lords, the general principle is that free trade has benefited many, many countries. It has lifted millions out of poverty globally, and it has brought in many goods at really competitive prices to people across the country, so we should champion free trade. Successive Governments have failed to defend and reinvest in those sectors that have more or less moved away to other countries. We must do more to invest in new manufacturing and the new industries of the future.

My Lords, the general principle is that free trade has benefited many, many countries. It has lifted millions out of poverty globally, and it has brought in many goods at really competitive prices to people across the country, so we should champion free trade. Successive Governments have failed to defend and reinvest in those sectors that have more or less moved away to other countries. We must do more to invest in new manufacturing and the new industries of the future.

My Lords, the Minister will be aware that the most important and fastest-growing part of UK exports is services. Can he assure us that the Government will put equal emphasis on non-tariff barriers, which tend to restrict service exports?

My Lords, the Minister will be aware that the most important and fastest-growing part of UK exports is services. Can he assure us that the Government will put equal emphasis on non-tariff barriers, which tend to restrict service exports?

Absolutely. I assure the noble Lord that services will be included in any of our conversations with our partners.

Absolutely. I assure the noble Lord that services will be included in any of our conversations with our partners.

My Lords, does the Minister agree that too often populists have appealed for protectionism because too often trade agreements have not been designed to protect jobs and level up labour standards? Is he aware that the international trade union movement is calling for fair trade based on placing improving labour standards at the heart of trade agreements?

My Lords, does the Minister agree that too often populists have appealed for protectionism because too often trade agreements have not been designed to protect jobs and level up labour standards? Is he aware that the international trade union movement is calling for fair trade based on placing improving labour standards at the heart of trade agreements?

The noble Baroness is right. In any of our trading agreements we need to look at workers’ rights and how the country treats its employees. At the same time, we must also advocate the whole concept of free trade and non-tariff goods and services because that actually opens up the market for more competition.

The noble Baroness is right. In any of our trading agreements we need to look at workers’ rights and how the country treats its employees. At the same time, we must also advocate the whole concept of free trade and non-tariff goods and services because that actually opens up the market for more competition.

To ask His Majesty’s Government what initiatives they plan to take internationally to support multilateral free trade and to draw attention to the risks posed to the world economy by tariffs and protectionism.

To ask His Majesty’s Government what initiatives they plan to take internationally to support multilateral free trade and to draw attention to the risks posed to the world economy by tariffs and protectionism.

What will a change of Administration in the US mean for the UK?

What will a change of Administration in the US mean for the UK?

My Lords, I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time. The United Kingdom’s internal market has been the bedrock of our shared prosperity for centuries. Since the Acts of Union, the UK internal market has been the source of unhindered and open trade across the...

My Lords, I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time. The United Kingdom’s internal market has been the bedrock of our shared prosperity for centuries. Since the Acts of Union, the UK internal market has been the source of unhindered and open trade across the...

Lords second reading (day one). Amendment to regret debated.

Lords second reading (day one). Amendment to regret debated.

The noble Lord, Lord Woolley of Woodford, has withdrawn from the debate, so I now call the noble Lord, Lord Naseby.

10.56 pm

The noble Lord, Lord Woolley of Woodford, has withdrawn from the debate, so I now call the noble Lord, Lord Naseby.

10.56 pm

My Lords, I congratulate the noble Baroness on her excellent maiden speech and look forward to hearing both her spoken and her musical words in future. As a non-lawyer, I enter this arena like a Christian facing a pride of angry legal lions. This is made worse by the fact...

My Lords, I congratulate the noble Baroness on her excellent maiden speech and look forward to hearing both her spoken and her musical words in future. As a non-lawyer, I enter this arena like a Christian facing a pride of angry legal lions. This is made worse by the fact...

My Lords, I beg to move the amendment in my name on the Order Paper. If I believed in compulsion, and executive compulsion in particular, I would make an order that every member of the Cabinet should read the report from the Constitution Committee and the report from the Delegated...

My Lords, I beg to move the amendment in my name on the Order Paper. If I believed in compulsion, and executive compulsion in particular, I would make an order that every member of the Cabinet should read the report from the Constitution Committee and the report from the Delegated...

My Lords, since I am speaking from Hayman House, my home in Gresford, it would be churlish of me not to welcome the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman, and congratulate her on her excellent maiden speech.

On 2 October 2019 the Brexit Secretary, Stephen Barclay, told the EU Committee of this House...

My Lords, since I am speaking from Hayman House, my home in Gresford, it would be churlish of me not to welcome the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman, and congratulate her on her excellent maiden speech.

On 2 October 2019 the Brexit Secretary, Stephen Barclay, told the EU Committee of this House...

My Lords, I would not dream of questioning the judgment of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Judge, in matters of the law—of course I would not—but I would say that the rule of law, as a matter of principle, is as important to me as it is to any...

My Lords, I would not dream of questioning the judgment of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Judge, in matters of the law—of course I would not—but I would say that the rule of law, as a matter of principle, is as important to me as it is to any...

My Lords, as a proud advocate for our great union of nations, I will never shy from expounding the benefits of belonging to, and strengthening, the deep ties and bonds across the United Kingdom. In an Ulster-specific context, we must continue to do all we can to work across all...

My Lords, as a proud advocate for our great union of nations, I will never shy from expounding the benefits of belonging to, and strengthening, the deep ties and bonds across the United Kingdom. In an Ulster-specific context, we must continue to do all we can to work across all...

My Lords, I follow on from the noble and learned Lord, Lord Falconer of Thoroton, by paying tribute to my successor as

Advocate-General for Scotland, the noble and learned Lord, Lord Keen of Elie. I have known the noble and learned Lord for over 40 years, and he is undoubtedly...

My Lords, I follow on from the noble and learned Lord, Lord Falconer of Thoroton, by paying tribute to my successor as

Advocate-General for Scotland, the noble and learned Lord, Lord Keen of Elie. I have known the noble and learned Lord for over 40 years, and he is undoubtedly...

My Lords, what an extraordinary series of speeches so far. The Minister’s speech was itself extraordinary because he ignored the elephant in the Chamber—that is, the elephant which is trampling through Part 5 on the rule of law.

The noble and learned lord, Lord Judge, in his powerful speech, referred to...

My Lords, what an extraordinary series of speeches so far. The Minister’s speech was itself extraordinary because he ignored the elephant in the Chamber—that is, the elephant which is trampling through Part 5 on the rule of law.

The noble and learned lord, Lord Judge, in his powerful speech, referred to...

My Lords, it is a great pleasure and honour to make my maiden speech today, and to follow the noble Lord, Lord Cormack. I first thank the staff for their support and hard work. Black Rod and her team, the Clerk of the Parliaments, the doorkeepers, attendants and police officers...

My Lords, it is a great pleasure and honour to make my maiden speech today, and to follow the noble Lord, Lord Cormack. I first thank the staff for their support and hard work. Black Rod and her team, the Clerk of the Parliaments, the doorkeepers, attendants and police officers...

My Lords, I welcome my noble friend Lady Hayman and congratulate her on her speech. I am absolutely sure that she will make many positive contributions to the work of this House, and it is good to see her here today.

There is no way that I can do justice within...

My Lords, I welcome my noble friend Lady Hayman and congratulate her on her speech. I am absolutely sure that she will make many positive contributions to the work of this House, and it is good to see her here today.

There is no way that I can do justice within...

My Lords, I join in congratulating the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman of Ullock, on her maiden speech. Like others, I look forward to hearing her contributions, whether about Cumbria or the environment, which I think the House will anticipate.

I deplore that a government Bill should contain Clause 45(2)(a), which trashes...

My Lords, I join in congratulating the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman of Ullock, on her maiden speech. Like others, I look forward to hearing her contributions, whether about Cumbria or the environment, which I think the House will anticipate.

I deplore that a government Bill should contain Clause 45(2)(a), which trashes...

My Lords, I regret that our virtual proceedings mean that one can no longer welcome maiden speeches across the Chamber but has to do so remotely. I do that now, both to the one already made and to those that are coming.

I make no apologies for concentrating my remarks in...

My Lords, I regret that our virtual proceedings mean that one can no longer welcome maiden speeches across the Chamber but has to do so remotely. I do that now, both to the one already made and to those that are coming.

I make no apologies for concentrating my remarks in...

My Lords, I add my congratulations to the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman of Ullock, and look forward to her future contributions to this House. I fully endorse the arguments set out by the noble and learned Lord, Lord Judge. I concur with the concerns set out in the report cited...

My Lords, I add my congratulations to the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman of Ullock, and look forward to her future contributions to this House. I fully endorse the arguments set out by the noble and learned Lord, Lord Judge. I concur with the concerns set out in the report cited...

My Lords, most contributions so far have related to Part 5 and the Government’s somewhat ham-fisted attempt to unilaterally disavow an undertaking made only a few months ago. I agree with those sentiments. and with the reports of the Constitution Committee and the EU Select Committee and the contributions by...

My Lords, most contributions so far have related to Part 5 and the Government’s somewhat ham-fisted attempt to unilaterally disavow an undertaking made only a few months ago. I agree with those sentiments. and with the reports of the Constitution Committee and the EU Select Committee and the contributions by...

Before the passage of the Bill, we need to clarify these issues.

5.03 pm

Before the passage of the Bill, we need to clarify these issues.

5.03 pm

I also add my congratulations to the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman, on her excellent maiden speech. I look forward to hearing her speeches in the future.

What is perhaps remarkable about the speeches we have heard is that the overwhelming majority, on all sides of the House, agree that the Bill...

I also add my congratulations to the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman, on her excellent maiden speech. I look forward to hearing her speeches in the future.

What is perhaps remarkable about the speeches we have heard is that the overwhelming majority, on all sides of the House, agree that the Bill...

My Lords, it is with great pleasure that I join with others in welcoming my noble friend Lady Hayman to this House and congratulate her on her speech. I am sure we will hear many marvellous speeches from her, and it has been good to hear her in this remarkable...

My Lords, it is with great pleasure that I join with others in welcoming my noble friend Lady Hayman to this House and congratulate her on her speech. I am sure we will hear many marvellous speeches from her, and it has been good to hear her in this remarkable...

My Lords, as president of the Steam Boat Association I know a bit about boilers. They are potential bombs and have the capacity to blow a vessel to smithereens. By law, they must be tested annually and have two safety valves to release steam if the pressure exceeds a safe...

My Lords, as president of the Steam Boat Association I know a bit about boilers. They are potential bombs and have the capacity to blow a vessel to smithereens. By law, they must be tested annually and have two safety valves to release steam if the pressure exceeds a safe...

My Lords, I too welcome my noble friend Lady Hayman and congratulate her on her maiden speech. I serve on your Lordships’ Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee. This committee was formed in 1992 to deal with the growing tendency of Governments to seek wide order-making powers which give Ministers...

My Lords, I too welcome my noble friend Lady Hayman and congratulate her on her maiden speech. I serve on your Lordships’ Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee. This committee was formed in 1992 to deal with the growing tendency of Governments to seek wide order-making powers which give Ministers...

My Lords, it has been a great privilege to listen to the speeches of noble Lords today, especially those who have voiced the concerns of so many of us about this Bill and the impact its invitation to collude in the breaching of international law has already had on the...

My Lords, it has been a great privilege to listen to the speeches of noble Lords today, especially those who have voiced the concerns of so many of us about this Bill and the impact its invitation to collude in the breaching of international law has already had on the...

My Lords, I want to concentrate on Part 5 and the amendment in the name of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Judge. I have already publicly criticised the statement by Brandon Lewis that the Bill breaches international law. Since the Government have not withdrawn that statement, I have no...

My Lords, I want to concentrate on Part 5 and the amendment in the name of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Judge. I have already publicly criticised the statement by Brandon Lewis that the Bill breaches international law. Since the Government have not withdrawn that statement, I have no...

My Lords, I welcome my noble friend’s maiden speech and look forward to hearing others. In its summary of the Bill, the Constitution Committee mentioned, among others, the following words: does not justify; it is regrettable; engagement has been poor, limited and unsatisfactory; consultation is problematic; the Bill does not...

My Lords, I welcome my noble friend’s maiden speech and look forward to hearing others. In its summary of the Bill, the Constitution Committee mentioned, among others, the following words: does not justify; it is regrettable; engagement has been poor, limited and unsatisfactory; consultation is problematic; the Bill does not...

My Lords, I warmly agree with the words of the noble Lord, Lord Rooker. I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman, on her fine maiden speech. I particularly welcome her Welsh half and her comments on devolution, rural affairs and the environment.

I oppose the Bill, which goes way beyond the...

My Lords, I warmly agree with the words of the noble Lord, Lord Rooker. I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman, on her fine maiden speech. I particularly welcome her Welsh half and her comments on devolution, rural affairs and the environment.

I oppose the Bill, which goes way beyond the...

My Lords, I join in congratulating and welcoming the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman. I am sure that most of your Lordships will agree that—after defeating Covid-19—the highest priority for our country, if we are to face the challenges of the next 10 years, is to hold this United Kingdom of...

My Lords, I join in congratulating and welcoming the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman. I am sure that most of your Lordships will agree that—after defeating Covid-19—the highest priority for our country, if we are to face the challenges of the next 10 years, is to hold this United Kingdom of...