Extract from
International Trade Questions: Trade with Israel
(High Peak) (Con)
9. What recent steps her Department has taken to increase trade
with Israel. [R] (906458)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International
Trade ( )
I am thrilled that our two Prime Ministers have agreed to
negotiate an ambitious free trade agreement, with exciting new
provisions in digital, data, technology, services and innovation.
We have completed our consultation and are analysing the
responses now, with a view to launching formal negotiations,
along with others, later this year.
I refer Members to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial
Interests.
I welcome the Government’s commitment to negotiating a trade deal
with our great friend and ally Israel, which will be of huge
benefit to lots of businesses in High Peak and across the
country. May I urge the Minister to go further and ensure that
any deal does not just include products but looks at services,
which make up around 70% of both the UK and Israel’s economies?
It is an area in which we are both world leaders, and there would
be much mutual benefit.
Mr Jayawardena
Absolutely. My hon. Friend correctly points out that our two
economies have strong service sectors but our current deal
predominantly caters for trade in goods. That is why we intend to
negotiate a more ambitious, comprehensive and innovation-friendly
trade deal, which will open up opportunities for British
businesses in areas such as tech, data and digital. My hon.
Friend will be aware that next month we are hosting the first
ever joint innovation and investment summit between our two
countries. That will be a key moment as we deepen our
relationship, creating opportunities to increase trade and
investment between our nations, create new jobs and boost wages.
Extracts from Business
Questions
(Batley and Spen)
(Lab): I am sure the whole House has been horrified, as I
have been, by the violent scenes in Jerusalem in recent days.
Attacks on civilians, including worshippers, have been deeply
distressing to see. Will the Leader of the House explain why the
Foreign Secretary has not yet come to the House to deliver a
statement? Will he confirm what conversations are taking place
among the Government to ensure that arms provided by the UK are
not used in the conflict in violation of international law? Will
he also outline what steps the Government are taking to secure
lasting peace in the region, which will include an independent
Palestinian state?
Leader of the House of Commons (): These are of course
delicate issues that need to be handled in the right way. The
Foreign Office engages with the Israeli Government and the
interested parties in the area. Violence is never the answer and
we should do all we can to promote peace in that area. I am
certain that the Foreign Office will have heard the hon. Lady’s
comments, but if it has not, I shall make sure it is aware of
them.
Ms Anum Qaisar (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP): The al-Aqsa
mosque is one of the holiest sites in Islam, and it is one of the
very few places where Palestinians can exercise a degree of
sovereignty. Recently, during this holy month of Ramadan, we have
seen violence, with over 150 Palestinians injured in clashes with
Israeli police. The conflict has the potential to escalate
further, so will the Leader of the House make way for a debate in
Government time on the rights of the Palestinian people?
: I thank the hon. Lady
for her question. I think it should be the right of every human
being to live in security and peace. These are of course delicate
matters, and I am sure there would be an opportunity at Foreign
Office questions for her to ask Ministers directly how they can
assist in bringing peace to the area.
