Speeches by Alexander.

“We have seen the proclamation issued by President Trump overnight, which enforces a full return to 25% tariffs on US steel imports on 12 March 2025. The US has so far published details only on steel, not on aluminium. The intended effect of the proclamation is to revoke existing arrangements that have avoided those tar…”

“I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the draft Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) (Extension to Switzerland etc.) Regulations 2024. The regulations were laid in draft before the House on 4 November 2024. I draw the Committee’s at…”

“Exactly—and I am getting used to the challenges of being in government, as distinct from in opposition. First, in all seriousness, I thank the hon. Gentleman for what I anticipate will be his support for the measures. He is entirely right to recognise that the work was undertaken under the previous Government and he ca…”

“The questions one always fears are the short ones that come with no thinking time, but I shall endeavour to answer the hon. Gentleman.”

“Our approach to trade deals considers the impact on and opportunities for the agricultural sector, along with other sectors of the economy, and, of course, our growth mission. The Government will publish impact assessments to aid the ratification process for new free trade agreements.”

“There is an established process in taking forward the Government’s discussions in relation to the mandate. On animal welfare standards, the Secretary of State has already alluded to how there was clearly considerable divergence during the previous attempts to conclude a free trade agreement with the United States. I as…”

“I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for bringing his considerable expertise in veterinary science to the Chamber today. We will not compromise on animal welfare standards as we take forward our programme of free trade agreements. Although we might well have approached the negotiations that the previous Government under…”

“Perhaps I can offer some assistance. On the criteria, and the basis on which it was used in the written ministerial statement that introduced the criteria in 2021—about which the Committee has already spoken—it was set out explicitly by the then Secretary of State that “Application of the criteria would be without prej…”

“Forgive me for interrupting my colleague, but just I wanted to clarify something at the earliest opportunity: the figure of £18 million that you mentioned is actually £18.2 million and that is actually military goods exported. That does not reflect general trade.”

“I do not have that figure in front of me, and I certainly would not want to mislead you or the Committee.”

“You are certainly correct in your broad assumption that first, there is no direct military aid provided by the UK Government in a manner that will be familiar to you from the United States. Often when these issues are discussed in the public prints, the perception is left that somehow the UK Government are directly tra…”

“This is the point I was trying to make earlier. As soon as the Foreign Secretary reached a determination that there was that risk in terms of a breach of international humanitarian law, the effect in terms of the judgment that was then made by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade was identical to if there had …”

“There is an assessment that informs the Foreign Secretary’s opinion. The Foreign Secretary then writes to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, who then makes a judgment and determination in relation to licences.”

“Yes, 2c continues to be the basis on which decisions are taken by—in the case of the Department for Business and Trade—the Secretary of State for Business and Trade.”

“First, I applaud and recognise the sentiments you describe in terms of the importance of parliamentary scrutiny generally ahead of the debate on Monday, and the important work of this Committee in that regard. What we inherited on coming to office on 4 July was an imperfect system of data release, candidly, within the …”

“Criterion 2c states that the Government will not issue export licences if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law. That is the basis on which the judgments have been reached.”

“The threshold and boundary that have been drawn are military use in Gaza, if your question is implicitly, “Are there open licences which could be facilitating and allowing military use?””

“Forgive me, is it Israel or Gaza?”

“If you like, there is a policy focus specifically on Gaza and, in that context, arms export licences and the operation of the SELC in relation to Israel. You are right in saying the international humanitarian law compliance assessment process, of which Minister Doughty spoke, while it sits within the FCDO, was set up t…”

“In the information that we have shared with the Committee today, over half the licences are non-military, and less than half of the extant military licences are for the IDF. Regarding the perception that the licences per se are open—notwithstanding the judgment of the Foreign Secretary and the decision of the Secretary…”