Oral Answers to Questions

Jeremy Lefroy Excerpts
Thursday 17th May 2018

(5 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Liam Fox Portrait Dr Fox
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The same message that I would give to everybody: free trade is of benefit to consumers and producers alike in the UK and to our trading partners. As I said, it has been one of the main tools through which we have alleviated global poverty.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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One thing that free trade depends on is investment. What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to promote outward direct investment by the UK to help those countries with which we would like to engage in greater free trade?

Liam Fox Portrait Dr Fox
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The Government have recently completed a number of pilot projects on outward direct investment, and ODI can be a major adjunct to our development agenda. I recently visited a Jaguar Land Rover dealership in Johannesburg. It is not only promoting the sale of UK goods abroad, but providing apprenticeships in mechanics and salesmanship for some of the most deprived young people in Johannesburg. Trade and development can go hand in hand.