House of Commons
Parliament

The House of Commons have voted in favor of a motion to approve a statutory instrument relating to the Draft European Union (Definition of Treaties) (Canada Trade Agreement) Order 2018.

The statutory instrument ratifies the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Arrangement.

The division announcement result is:

Ayes - 315

Noes - 36

Majority - 279

House of Commons
Parliament

The Commons divides to vote on ratifying the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Arrangement.

The result is expected at around 2:40pm.

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Parliament

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Labour's Chris Leslie says CETA "is actually quite a decent trade deal," and Canada's economy is also "liberal" and "open" like the UK.

"CETA is already provisionally enforced," he says, so if the Commons rejects it then it would actually increase tariffs on clothing, medical devices and cars.

We are "potentially on the brink of a world wide trade war situation" and he says now is not the time to step away from free trade.

He warns the Labour frontbench to not fall into an "oppositionalist rut," - and there is a "danger in flirting with an anti-trade populism" he says.

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SNP trade spokesperson Stewart Hosie tells the House the agreement is incredibly important for the UK and Scotland. He says that Scotland's growth in international trade has been the highest in the UK at 12% this year.

The SNP MP says the party would normally support "free and fair agreements" but adds they need to be "properly scrutinized". Mr Hosie says that Scotland has not been given a say in CETA despite input by Canadian provincial governments.

Mr Hosie finishes that public services need to be protected "now and in the future" and says that there is "sufficient certainty" that the protections are in place in this agreement.

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Greg Hands, who recently resigned as an international trade minister over opposition to Heathrow expansion, welcomes the motion and ratification in the Commons.

He criticises Barry Gardiner for speaking for over half an hour and leaving backbench speeches to four minutes each.

He says CETA is "a very very good deal" and could be worth £1.3bn to the UK economy annually. It removes tariffs on alcohol, and the UK is the second most popular destination for investment, he states.

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Shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner says it is unfortunate that at this stage the trade agreement cannot be changed by anything that is said this afternoon.

"We share a common language...and parliamentary model" and Canada is among the UK's strongest trading partners, Britain is Canada's third largest trading partner and they have a trade surplus with the UK, he says.

Only by working with Canada can the UK respond to American protectionism, he states.

The CETA deal has been "mired with controversy" he says, as the deal has been conducted largely "in secrecy" and "without public consultation".

He accuses Dr Fox of trying to prevent scrutiny and debate over the agreement. He adds that Dr Fox has said UK could not be seen to block the deal as it would be seen as negative for future trade deals.

There are aspects of the deal Labour welcome, but some which are "unsustainable and constitute red lines," he says.

He announces that Labour will not be supporting the government on this, this afternoon.

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International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox says he is "delighted" to be able to debate the CETA agreement.

This comes at a "crucial point" in world trade, at a time of rise in protectionist sentiment. He says this is "creating a torrent of instability".

"CETA is a good deal for Europe and a good deal for the United Kingdom," he says, adding that this is an agreement which will boost Britain's GDP by hundreds of millions of pounds a year, encouraging more trade and investment in the UK.

More trade and more growth results in more money for the Treasury, he says. The government wants people to trade their way out of poverty, rather than relying on aid, he states.

This is the "most advanced and ambitious" trade deal "that the EU has produced so far".

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Parliament

The Commons moves on to consider the Canada trade agreement which has been approved by the European Union.

Consideration in Parliament is standard practice when any new trade agreement is agreed by the EU, later on, the Commons will consider the Japan trade agreement with the EU, too.

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Conservative Sir Desmond Swayne is speaking against the bill proposed by his colleague, Kirstene Hair.

He says that junk food advertising has always been aimed at children, citing the example of the Milkybar Kid.

He says that there should be more political will to promote exercise for children, rather than banning adverts.

"It's not the army," someone says, to the amusement of the Speaker, John Bercow.

The bill passes to second reading with only one no vote.

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Conservative Kirstene Hair is introducing her ten minute rule motion proposing banning advertising of food which does not meet certain nutritional guidelines, aimed at children.

"We must all ensure" that children have the best healthy start in life, she says, Scotland's most deprived areas have a 16% rate of obesity rather than 12% in the least deprived.

Obesity will cost the economy £50bn by 2050, she says.

There is no "silver bullet" to this "growing problem", she says and she argues that regulations are not enough, and families must also help.

"Advertising regulations are now out of date," she says, adding that adverts are currently banned for children's TV, but not for "family" entertainment.

"It is a loophole that is being exploited," she states.

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Conservative Peter Heaton-Jones asks what the policy is on global ocean conservation.

Foreign Minister Sir Alan Duncan replies that last Friday, the foreign secretary announced he will take the lead on an international oceans strategy for the government.

He adds that the blue belt programme is protecting oceans around the overseas territories and the government is championing science-based marine areas across southern ocean.

Mr Heaton-Jones says that global ocean conservation begins at home and asks the minister to welcome initiatives around the UK.

Sir Alan Duncan replies that we should commend efforts of local communities and assess our own habits as consumers.

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Conservative Giles Watling asks what is being done to tackle the illegal wildlife trade.

Mr Johnson says the illegal wildlife trade is "odious" and associated with many other types of criminality. In October, the UK is hosting a global conference on the trade this

Mr Watling says this kind of trading is increasingly happening "on the interweb" and he asks what is being done about this.

Mr Johnson says that the FCO recently hosted some technology companies to discuss how they can remove these kinds of sales from their platforms.

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Labour's Matthew Pennycook asks a question on what discussions have been had with his Israeli counterpart on the proposed demolition of the Khan al Ahmar village in the West Bank.

Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt says the government supports a negotiated two-state solution. The foreign secretary has had conversations with President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu. The government remains "concerned" at these developments.

Mr Pennycook asks if in discussions with his Israeli counterpart on forced moving of communities he has pointed out that which would constitute a breach of international law.

Mr Burt says this has been raised.

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Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry jokes about Boris Johnson's recent trip to Afghanistan and asks if the foreign secretary has replaced former Prime Minister Winston Churchill with a new hero. (Mr Johnson has written a book about the wartime leader.)

The "clue is in the hair", she says.

Mr Johnson replies that the US response to chemical weapons in Syria, its approach to North Korea and its encouragement of defence spend in Europe, should be admired.

Emily Thornberry tells the House that caging children is record to be "abhorred" and asks whether Mr Trump should have the honour of shaking hands with the Queen.

The foreign secretary says he has given several examples where the US President should be admired and a number where the government disagrees. He adds it is important to welcome our "closest ally".