Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she has made an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the impact of rising shipping costs on the Scotch whisky industry.
Answered by Andrew Griffith - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The importance of the Scotch whisky industry to the UK economy is recognised, providing £5.5bn Gross Value Added (GVA) to the economy and supporting more than 42,000 jobs across the country. The Department for International Trade engages regularly with The Scotch Whisky Association and individual whisky producers to support opportunities in overseas markets through Free Trade Agreements and understand challenges the industry may face. We closely monitor global trading conditions to assess the impact of factors such as shipping costs on our key export industries.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she has made an assessment of the role of the Scotch whisky industry in supporting trade relations with international markets.
Answered by Andrew Griffith - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
UK food and drink, including Scotch whisky, is renowned worldwide for its quality and provenance. It underpins the UK’s strong reputation in global trade of goods. In 2021, global Scotch whisky exports were worth £4.5bn to the UK economy. The Department for International Trade works closely with trade associations in the drinks industry, business representative organisations and the UK’s whisky producers to maximise opportunities in overseas markets for this outstanding British industry and to support UK trade relations in international markets.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the announcement of an agreement between the US and EU in the section 232 steel and aluminium trade dispute which includes the removal of the EU’s tariff on American Whiskeys, if her Department will hold discussions with representatives of (a) the UK steel industry and (b) UK importers subject to tariffs on the potential merits of a similar agreement for the UK to ensure that businesses in Scotland are not left at a competitive disadvantage.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
In preparation for resuming talks with the US on Section 232 tariffs, we continue to work closely with the UK steel and aluminium industries to understand the implications of the US-EU deal. Any deal that the UK secures with the US must work for the steel and aluminium sectors. We have also been engaging with UK importers, including the SWA. Importers know that our preference is the full removal of 232 tariffs, in which case the UK’s rebalancing measures will not be required, ensuring that UK industries are not left at a competitive disadvantage.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 27 October 2020 to Question 106364 on Overseas Aid, how many projects for each of the financial years (a) 2016-17, (b) 2017-18, (c) 2018-19 and (d) 2019-20 her Department applied for under the Integrated Activity Fund; what the titles of those projects were; how many of those projects were approved; and how many of those projects were subjected to Overseas Security and Justice Assistance assessments.
Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
I refer the Hon. Member for Glasgow East to the answer my Hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Trade gave to the Hon. Member for Dundee West on 9 November 2020, UIN: 111560.
The Integrated Activity Fund provides funding in support of a range of programmes across the Gulf Region, including but not limited to, activities focusing on education, sport and culture, and healthcare. The Department for International Trade has been involved in several such projects, all of which are in line with international standards and aim to share the UK's expertise and experience.
It is Government policy not to disclose specific information related to the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance assessments that accompany these bids due to their sensitive nature. This ensures that officials can be candid in their assessments and accurately consider the proposed assistance.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will publish (a) the outcome of all meetings and (b) all call logs between Ministers of her Department and Mr Crispin Odey.
Answered by Conor Burns
Ministers for the Department for International Trade have held no meetings or calls with Mr. Crispin Odey.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many apprentices are employed in his Department.
Answered by George Hollingbery
As of 31st October 2018, the Department for International Trade employs 24 apprentices. A further 7 are due to start in November 2018, with the potential for more after that.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many staff in his Department are paid less than £8.75 per hour.
Answered by George Hollingbery
The Department for International Trade does not have any UK staff paid less than £8.75 per hour.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many staff in his Department are paid less than £10.20 per hour.
Answered by George Hollingbery
The Department for International Trade does not have any UK staff paid less than £10.20 per hour.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions he has had with (a) the Scottish Government and (b) external organisations on attracting trade and international investment to Glasgow East constituency.
Answered by Mark Garnier
The Department for International Trade is working with citizens and businesses from across the UK to ensure we develop a trade policy that works for the whole of the UK, and reflects the interests of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England.
My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade has met and exchanged correspondence with Keith Brown, MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work; attended the Joint Ministerial Committee with the Devolved Governments to discuss trade and investment issues and met with international companies based in Glasgow. The Department's Ministers have appeared in front of the Scottish Parliament's Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee and discussed trade issues with Paul Wheelhouse, MSP, Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy.