Lord Bruce of Bennachie (LD) [V]:...The noble Viscount, Lord
Trenchard, may be right in saying that the negotiation of these
treaties is a reserved matter exclusive to the Executive, and that
this amendment is unhelpful, but I say to him very gently that I
think he is totally failing to understand the mood that is growing
in the devolved Administrations about this approach. If the UK
Government could secure more preferential access, for example, for
Scotch Whisky into India, it would be a...Request free trial
(LD) [V]:...The noble Viscount, Lord Trenchard, may be right
in saying that the negotiation of these treaties is a reserved
matter exclusive to the Executive, and that this amendment is
unhelpful, but I say to him very gently that I think he is totally
failing to understand the mood that is growing in the devolved
Administrations about this approach. If the UK Government could
secure more preferential access, for example, for Scotch Whisky into India, it would be a cause
for rejoicing—but not if at the same time we saw a relaxation of
standards for imported beef. So the devolved Administrations would
first want to have a positive input into the things they wanted to
secure, as well as a protective input and concerns about agreements
that might damage significant parts of their interests in the
economy. Surely the UK Government should seek to represent the
whole of the UK in their approach to trade negotiations and
agreements...
(LD):...Therefore, the notification of
the WTO, with the tariff measures as part of the countermeasures,
will be in the public domain. It will be debated. It is therefore
nonsense to think that there will be scrutiny, transparency and a
public debate regarding our measures to the WTO, but not in
Parliament. Many sectors will be involved, as we saw with the US
measures. I do not need to go into the detail, but be it
Whisky textiles or the metal
industry, these measures and potential countermeasures have an
impact domestically on certain sectors, regions and nations of the
UK. Therefore, it is right that, if we are to make a measured and
targeted response to a third country that we believe has acted
against its obligations, we ensure that we are not acting in
self-defeating self-interest, and a degree of accountability is
thus required...
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