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Written Question
Urine Drainage Bags: Import Duties
Wednesday 16th November 2022

Asked by: Philippa Whitford (Scottish National Party - Central Ayrshire)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will take steps to classify urine drainage bags as medical devices.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

Urine drainage bags are currently classified as articles of plastic under the commodity code 3926 90 97 90. Although urine drainage bags are used in conjunction with medical products (e.g. catheters), they are not in themselves considered to be medical devices.

Businesses can access advice on how to classify their goods at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ask-hmrc-for-advice-on-classifying-your-goods or contact classification.enquiries@hmrc.gov.uk

We have recently received stakeholder feedback on tariffs on urine drainage bags. We are considering the evidence provided alongside wider UK Government analysis.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 17 Jun 2021
Free Trade Agreement Negotiations: Australia

"Antimicrobial resistance is a major global health threat, which led the EU and the UK to ban regular antibiotic use to promote growth in farm animals in 2006. Australia continues to allow antibiotics to be used as growth promoters, without any requirement for farmers even to report multi-resistant bacterial infections. …..."
Philippa Whitford - View Speech

View all Philippa Whitford (SNP - Central Ayrshire) contributions to the debate on: Free Trade Agreement Negotiations: Australia
Written Question
Whisky: USA
Thursday 3rd September 2020

Asked by: Philippa Whitford (Scottish National Party - Central Ayrshire)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if her Department will work with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network to ensure that the 25 per cent tariff imposed by the US on exports of Single Malt Scotch Whisky and Whisky liqueurs is removed.

Answered by Greg Hands

The Government takes the negative impact of US tariffs on Scotch Whisky very seriously. These tariffs are unnecessary, unhelpful and harm industry and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Department for International Trade engages regularly with Scottish industries which are unfairly impacted by the tariffs. On 13 August I held calls with the Scotch Whisky Association, Walkers Shortbread, Diageo and others, to update them on the outcome of the US August tariff review and to better understand their concerns.

The UK continues to lobby the US for the settlement of the Airbus/Boeing disputes and the removal of tariffs.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 17 May 2018
Oral Answers to Questions

"11. Although the Government say that victims of domestic abuse can apply for split payment of universal credit, a survey by Women’s Aid shows that 85% of survivors say they would not dare apply as an exceptional measure, as it would attract further abuse. Is the Minister for Women and …..."
Philippa Whitford - View Speech

View all Philippa Whitford (SNP - Central Ayrshire) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 11 Jan 2018
Oral Answers to Questions

"T3. The requirement for all bus drivers to undertake disability equality training has been standard across the EU since 2013, and the UK’s five-year opt-out ends on 1 March. The Scottish Government have produced their accessible travel framework. Will the Minister tell us whether standardised training will be in place …..."
Philippa Whitford - View Speech

View all Philippa Whitford (SNP - Central Ayrshire) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 11 Jan 2018
Oral Answers to Questions

"T8. Scotland is known internationally for its high- quality food and drink such as whisky and seafood, but there is real concern about the loss of protected geographical indications that are backed by the EU. How will the Secretary of State consult all the devolved Governments to help them to …..."
Philippa Whitford - View Speech

View all Philippa Whitford (SNP - Central Ayrshire) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions