Extract from Exiting the
EU oral questions
(Stirling) (SNP):
What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effect
on the Scottish food and drink sector of the UK leaving the EU.
[909887]
The Minister of State, Department for Exiting the
European Union (Mr David Jones): We are working closely
with colleagues across Government to assess the impacts that
withdrawal from the EU will have across a number of sectors in
cross-cutting areas. I have had meetings with a number of
stakeholders from the Scottish food and drink sector, including
NFU Scotland, the Scotch Whisky Association, the Scottish
Fishermen’s Federation and the Food and Drink Federation.
: I am grateful
for that answer. The Stirling constituency boasts many
world-class food and drink companies, such as the Glengoyne and
Deanston distilleries and Graham’s the Family Dairy. What
assurances can the Minister give me, if any, that during the
Brexit negotiations, access to the important EU market for those
excellent companies will be maintained and protected?
Mr Jones: Certainly, as I have said already, we
are seeking a free trade agreement that would continue to secure
such access. The Scotch Whisky Association has said that there
are enormous opportunities for the sector if the UK can secure
favourable bilateral trade deals across other export markets.
India, for example, is a growing market for Scotch whisky, but we
are being held back by a 150% tariff. The hon. Gentleman should
look for the opportunities of Brexit, not be a wet blanket.
Extract from
consideration of Commons Reason and Amendments to
the Higher Education and Research Bill
(CB):...The several purposes of that amendment
included protecting university autonomy; ensuring that
institutions able to call themselves universities are engaged in
scholarship that both informs and forms an important part of
student learning; ensuring that learning takes place in an
environment where disciplines meet and meld; and ensuring that
universities recognise the special place they hold in society by
contributing to our society not only by teaching and
disseminating knowledge but by, for example, partnering with
charities, schools, colleges and local and regional initiatives
to deliver a benefit well beyond their immediate staff and
students. International research clearly demonstrates the impact
that engaged universities can have on local communities and
economic growth. Many other countries—including, for example,
Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, the Canadian provinces,
Germany, Spain and India—have a definition of a university,
or its functions and activities, in legislation. So an
overarching objective of the Lords amendment was to protect the
reputation of universities is this country, going beyond the
situation in the Bill where the OfS might consent to the
institution’s use of university title if that institution were a
registered higher education provider. That would communicate to
the world, which is particularly important at a time when we are
leaving the EU, that our higher education system is open for
expansion and innovation, but that university title in England is
not given easily. It would tell potential students about the sort
of institution and learning environment they should expect from a
university, and it will encourage new entrants to the sector to
see that obtaining university title is an important and
aspirational achievement...
(CB): ...Our
competitor countries have targets to increase the number of
international students. The demand from countries such
as India for studying abroad is increasing
by 8% a year, yet an NUS poll found that slightly over half of
overseas students thought that the British Government were either
not welcoming or not welcoming at all to international students.
There are half as many Indian students in 2015 compared with the
number in 2010. Yet in countries such as Australia, Canada and
Germany the number is growing by 8% a year...
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