From: Greg Hands MP news@greghands.

com
Subject: News Bulletin from Greg Hands MP #474
Date: 10 February 2017 at 22:15
To: news@greghands.com

Issue 474 -Friday 10th February 2017

In this edition:

Greg Hands MPs Diary Since the last edition, Greg:

Website of the Week: Voted for the Governments Bill to uphold the will of the people
Open consultation on night
flight restrictions at last June and allow the Prime Minister to trigger Article 50.
Gatwick, Heathrow and Held detailed talks with BT OpenReach about Broadband
Stansted
shortfalls in the constituency. Anyone dissatisfied with their
Greg Hands backs Prime broadband speed or connection can contact Greg and he will
Minister Theresa May over
Article 50 Brexit Vote take up with the provider, where appropriate.
Was questioned in the House of Commons in his capacity as
Photo news:
Fulham Cross pupils visit the Governments Minister for Trade & Investment. Topics
Greg in Westminster included CETA, Rolls Royce, Taiwan, Technology and Smart
Greg Hands urges Local Cities. For the video of Gregs appearance, see below.
Residents to make their Joined the country in congratulating Her Majesty the Queen
views heard on Heathrow
Expansion and Night on her Sapphire Jubilee, sixty-five years after her accession
Flights to the throne.
Photo news: Welcomed a group of girls from Fulham Cross School for a
Constituency surgery at day in Parliament, and answered their questions on Gregs
Metro Bank
work as their MP.
Greg Hands fights again for Appeared on the BBCs London edition of Sunday Politics on
the Fulham Boys School
the subjects of Heathrow, transport strikes and former Labour
Photo news: Mayor Lutfur Rahman.
Hands welcomes India's
new High Commissioner to Held a productive round table with the French Senates
London delegation examining Brexit, led by Frances former Prime
Greg Hands meets with BT Minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin.
Led for the Government in a two-and-a-half hour House of
Hands in Parliament:
International Trade Commons debate on the new EU-Canada Free Trade
Questions Agreement, or CETA.
Photo news: Welcomed the new Indian High Commissioner for talks at the
Hungarian Trade Minister House of Commons.
Greg Hands addresses the Was guest speaker at the Parliamentary China Group for their
Annaul Gala Dinner of the reception for Chinese New Year, in the House of Commons.
British-German Chamber of
Commerce in Duesseldorf Welcomed the Hungarian Trade Minister, Dr Laszlo Szabo,
for talks at the Department for International Trade.
Photo news:
Hands addresses Chinese Addressed the All Party Smart Cities Group in the House of
New Year reception of the Commons. For Gregs speech, see below.
Parliamentary China Group
As Minister of State for Trade and Investment, visited
Greg Hands addresses the Dsseldorf, Germany, to speak to teams from the Department
All Party Parliamentary
Group on Smart Cities, in for International Trade, and to be guest speaker at the British
the Churchill Room of the Chamber of Commerce in Germanys annual dinner. For
House of Commons
Gregs speech, see below.
Photo news: Was interviewed by German regional newspaper, Rheinische
Wandsworth, Chelsea &
Fulham Sea Cadets Post, about Brexit and the future of UK-Germany trade.
Held his constituency surgery at Metro Bank in Chelsea,
TS Challenger -
Wandsworth, Chelsea and kindly hosted by MetroBank. To request an appointment,
Fulham Sea Cadets please send an email to handsg@parliament.uk, or call 020
Photo news: 7219 5448.
Hands meets with former
French Prime Minister

7 ways to contact
Greg Hands
Website of the Week:
Open consultation on night flight
restrictions at Gatwick, Heathrow and
Stansted
www.gov.uk/government/consultations/night-flight-restrictions-
at-gatwick-heathrow-and-stansted

The website for the Governments new consultation on night
flights into Heathrow Airport.

Greg Hands backs Prime Minister Theresa
May over Article 50 Brexit Vote

On 9 June 2015, Parliament voted by 544 to 53 to give the British

people the chance to determine their own future by means of a
national referendum on the United Kingdoms membership of the
European Union.

Greg Hands MP campaigned hard in the ensuing Referendum for a

Remain vote. However, on 23 June 2016, the British people voted to
leave the European Union.

On 24 January this year, the Supreme Court announced its decision

that an Act of Parliament would be required for the Prime Minister to
invoke Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. Respect for the
judiciary is one of the cornerstones of British society. Accordingly, the
Government is abiding by the Courts judgment in full.

Last Wednesday, 1 February, following two days of debate, Parliament

voted by 498 to 114 an overwhelming majority of 384 in favour of
the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill on second
reading, which will authorise the Governments invoking of Article 50.
Numerous further votes were held this week, seeking to amend the
legislation. None were successful, and now the Bill passes to the
Lords unopposed.

Commenting on the Governments Bill, Member of Parliament for

Chelsea & Fulham, Greg Hands, said: This Bill seeks to honour the
Governments commitment to implement the decision taken by the
British people to leave the European Union. The EU Referendum was
a nationwide vote by the British people. More people voted in the EU
Referendum than in any general election since 1992.

As my constituents will recall, I campaigned energetically to remain in

the European Union and, like the majority of my constituents in
Chelsea & Fulham, I voted for the UK to remain. Nevertheless, this
was a nationwide referendum, and I believe that it would be
democratically dangerous and overwhelmingly arrogant to ignore the
wishes of the majority of the nation 17.4 million people who voted
to leave the European Union. For this reason I voted to support the
Governments Bill, which will allow the Prime Minister to invoke Article
50 in respecting the outcome of the Referendum.

This was not an easy decision: Members of Parliament on all sides of

the House of Commons have commented this week that, while it is
imperative for us to defend democracy, doing so is easy when we
agree with the majority, but far more difficult when we disagree with
the majority.

I am not prepared to ignore the majority verdict of the largest

democratic exercise in British history. I hope that this explains my
decision, and I thank all those who have taken the time to contact me
on an issue of national significance.

Photo news:
Fulham Cross pupils visit Greg in
Westminster

Greg Hands MP with staff and pupils from Fulham Cross Girls
School in Parliament last week.

Greg Hands urges Local Residents to make

their views heard on Heathrow Expansion
and Night Flights
Member of Parliament for Chelsea &
Fulham, Greg Hands, is drawing
attention to three public consultations,
which will determine the future of flights
at Heathrow Airport.

The Government is currently holding

three consultations to ask for the publics
views on the draft Airports National
Policy Statement on the expansion of
Heathrow Airport, details of which can
be found here; on the design and use of
UK airspace, details of which can be
found here; and on night flights, details
of which can be found here.

On 25 October 2016, the Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon.

Chris Grayling MP, confirmed that the Governments preferred
scheme for adding new runway capacity in the South East is to build
a new north-west runway at Heathrow Airport, in line with the
recommendations made by the independent Airports Commission in
July 2015. The Secretary of State advised that the policy for this
expansion would be brought forward by means of a draft national
policy statement, which would be subject to public consultation.

The Governments draft Airports National Policy Statement: new

runway capacity and infrastructure at airports in the south-east
of England, lays down the planning policy framework with which the
applicant for a new north-west runway would have to comply in order
to get development consent. It also sets out the need for additional
airport capacity in the South East, and the reasons why a north-west
runway at Heathrow is the Governments preferred scheme.

The draft National Policy Statement is now open to a sixteen-week

public consultation in which the public will have the opportunity to
contribute their views. The Secretary of State for Transport will use
this National Policy Statement as the basis for making decisions on
any future development consent application for a new north-west
runway at Heathrow Airport.

Consultation information events are being held across Greater

London, at which local residents can speak to officials and ask about
the Airports National Policy Statement.

While none of the consultation information events is taking place in the

constituency of Chelsea & Fulham, the nearest are:
On Friday, 24 February at Putney Leisure Centre, Dryburgh
Road, London, SW15 1BL;
On Wednesday, 1 March at Kensington Town Hall, Hornton
Street, London, W8 7NX;
And on Monday, 6 March at Assembly Hall, King Street,
London, W6 9JU.

These weekday events are open from 11.00am to 8.00pm.

You can respond online here; complete a response form here; send
an email to RunwayConsultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk; or write to
Freepost Runway Consultation.

In addition, the Government is consulting on proposals to:

support the reform of airspace, thereby maximising the
economic and social benefits of aviation;
and to minimise the negative local impacts of aviation.

The Government is seeking comment on proposals to update policy

on the management of UK airspace including:
the role of an Independent Commission on Civil Aviation
Noise to ensure noise impacts are openly considered;
providing industry with the ability to assess noise impacts and
guidance to help them manage change more effectively;
bringing compensation policy for airspace changes in line with
policy on changes to aviation infrastructure;
greater flexibility for Londons major airports, so they can
adapt noise management to the needs of their local
communities.

The policy principles set out in the consultation document will

influence decisions, including:
how local communities can have their say on airspace matters
and how industry should take into account the impacts on
local communities and act to reduce them.

You can respond to the consultation here; complete a response form

here; send an email to airspace.policy@dft.gsi.gov.uk; or write to
Freepost UK AIRSPACE POLICY CONSULTATION.

The Government has also announced new measures to cut the

noise allowed from night flights at Heathrow and other London
airports.

Measures out for public consultation will help encourage the use of
quieter aircraft to limit the number of people significantly affected by
aircraft noise at night, while maintaining the existing benefits to
passengers and the economy of night flights.

Current night flight restrictions at the three London airports expire in

October 2017, and the new rules will last until 2022.

Measures out for consultation include:

reducing the total noise quota at Heathrow Airport by at least
43% in the winter (from 4,080 to 2,340) and 50% in the
summer (5,100 to 2,540);
and setting a strict cap at existing levels for the number of
night flights from Heathrow.

You can respond to the night flight consultation here; by completing a

form available here; by sending an email to
night.flights@dft.gsi.gov.uk; or by writing to Department for
Transport, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR.

Commenting on the Governments three consultations, local Member

of Parliament for Chelsea & Fulham, Greg Hands, said:

I know that the announcement on Heathrow expansion came as a

disappointment to many of my constituents in Chelsea & Fulham, as
well as to those I campaigned with when I represented Hammersmith
as its MP. I fully acknowledge the need to increase airport capacity in
the South East of England, but I continue to campaign against the
third runway at Heathrow.

I have been campaigning for a ban on night flight for more than a
decade, and the Governments recommendation of a six-and-a-half
hour ban on scheduled night flights does potentially sweeten the
overall blow a little.

Accordingly, I shall make my submissions to these three consultations

in due course, and I urge all my constituents to get their opinions
heard by responding to them.

Photo news:
Constituency surgery at Metro Bank

Greg Hands at Metro Bank, Chelsea. Metro Bank have been

kindly hosting Greg's surgeries at their Chelsea and Fulham
branches since last year.

Greg Hands during his constituency surgery at Metro Bank,

Chelsea, last week.

Greg Hands fights again for the Fulham

Boys School

On Wednesday, 25 January, senior representatives of The Fulham

Boys School attended a meeting with Lord Nash at the Department for
Education. This followed personal representations from Greg Hands
MP to the Education Secretary, Justine Greening.

Greg, who is also a patron of The Fulham Boys School, has received
a substantial amount of correspondence from constituents both
parents and prospective parents of pupils at the School, as well as
from representatives of the School concerned about delays to the
Schools move to its permanent site in Heckfield Place, Fulham.

In response to these concerns, the Headmaster, Mr Alun Ebenezer,

and the Chairman of Governors, Mr Alexander Wade, attended a
meeting with Lord Nash, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
for the School System, at the Department for Education on
Wednesday, 25 January. At this meeting, it was regretfully reiterated
that the scheme of delivery for the Schools move to its permanent site
is no longer possible for September 2018, and that the completion
date has been moved to January 2019. It was, however, agreed that
all parties would continue to work with the contractor to bring this date
forward if feasible.

Nevertheless, to allow The Fulham Boys School to deliver its

educational promise, Lord Nash agreed the principle of the School
providing temporary accommodation. The Schools proposals for an
additional temporary site will be subject to a review and formal
approval, but this should come as welcome news for current and
prospective parents and pupils.

Those concerned about the delays to the Schools move might also be
interested to know that pre-demolition activities are well under way,
with work completed so far including a geotechnical survey, an
exploratory foundation survey, and a CAT scan, among other works
and attempts to accelerate the schemes progress.

Commenting on the outcome of the meeting, Greg Hands, said: I am

pleased to hear that the meeting between The Fulham Boys School
and Lord Nash at the Department for Education was productive, and I
hope that parents concerns will be allayed. As a patron of the School,
I am taking a keen interest in the Schools move to its permanent site,
and I was represented at the meeting.

Its good news to hear that the School will be able to deliver its
educational promise, and that the scheme will be continuously
reviewed, with all viable options for bringing the opening date forward
being explored.

Photo news:
Hands welcomes India's new High
Commissioner to London

Greg Hands MP welcoming India's new High Commissioner to

London last week.

Greg Hands meets with BT

This Friday, 10 February, Greg Hands MP held a meeting with BT

executives to discuss the concerns of local residents in Chelsea &
Fulham, who are struggling with their broadband provision. In
particular, Greg raised the concerns of residents of Peterborough
Road, Allestree Road, and Bramham Gardens, following
correspondence that Greg has received about BT over the past few
months.

During the meeting, BT sought to emphasise their willingness to

engage with the public, advising that they are prepared to meet
residents, and that they will attempt to address any problems that local
residents might be having by email.

BTs representatives explained that problems with a service can

happen for a number of reasons: from problems with wiring, to building
structures and materials in a location, and to how different areas fit
within BTs wider business plan.

However, they also pointed to some of the solutions which are

possible when local residents involve BT, encouraging residents to
seek information about services in their neighbourhood, which can be
found at the Open Reach Fibre Availability Checker, or
alternatively via the independent thinkbroadband.com website.

Commenting on his meeting with BT, Greg Hands, Member of

Parliament for Chelsea & Fulham, said: It is crucial that people have
access to reliable, fast broadband services, in a world where good
internet is so essential to our personal and professional lives.

While Chelsea and Fulham has good internet capacity compared with
the national average, more can still be done, and I am absolutely
willing to support anyone who is having problems with their
broadband.

Greg Hands urges any of his constituents who are having problems
with their internet provision to contact him at handsg@parliament.uk
or on 020 7219 5448, not forgetting to provide their full postal address
and landline telephone number.

Hands in Parliament:
International Trade Questions
Thursday 9th February 2017

Click on the image above to watch International Trade Questions

in the House of Commons.

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement

Nick Thomas-Symonds (Torfaen) (Lab): 1. What assessment he

has made of the potential effect on UK environmental legislation of
investment protection provisions in the EU-Canada comprehensive
economic and trade agreement.

The Minister for Trade and Investment (Greg Hands): The EU-
Canada comprehensive economic and trade agreementCETAis a
good agreement for the UK. It will promote jobs and growth and
benefit consumers. The UK Government are fully committed to
supporting such agreements while we remain an EU member. The
investment protection provisions in CETA will have no impact on UK
environmental legislation. They cannot force the UK or other parties to
change their laws on the environment or any on other area of public
policy.

Nick Thomas-Symonds: I am grateful for that answer, but many of

my constituents are worried about us maintaining our current
environmental standards post-Brexit. Can the Minister guarantee that
with this trade deal and, indeed, any other trade deal that the UK
intends to make, our current environmental standards will not be
watered down?

Greg Hands: Enshrined in CETA and many other free trade

agreements is the UKs right to regulate in these areas, and that
includes key environmental protections. There is nothing, for example,
in the investment court system that would force the UK to change its
environmental regulations. I notice, however, that the hon. Gentleman
voted against CETA yesterday, in line with the Leader of the
Opposition, but he may not know that when CETA was debated in
Committee on Monday, the Official Opposition were actually in favour
of it.

Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con): Has my right hon. Friend heard

of CANZUK, and is he encouraged by it? This is the plan being
proposed in the Canadian Parliament for a Canada, Australia, New
Zealand and United Kingdom trade partnership after Brexit. Does he
share my enthusiasm for it?

Greg Hands: I have seen this proposal, and we are very enthusiastic
about the future of UK trade with Canada. I repeat that we are
currently very supportive of CETA going through. We think it is very
important for the UK, for the European Union and for Canada, and we
will continue to campaign for it to go through, not least in the face of
the new-found opposition by Her Majestys Opposition.

Mr John Spellar (Warley) (Lab): May I point out to the Minister that in
the deferred Division, a majority of Labour Members voted for the
trade deal? Given that Canada is such a long-standing
Commonwealth friend, ally and defence and trade partner, could he
answer this basic question: in a post-Brexit world, if we cannot do a
deal with Canada, who the hell can we do a deal with?

Greg Hands: I thank the right hon. Gentleman very much indeed for
that question. He is right that more Labour MPs86voted for CETA
than the 68 who voted against it, with perhaps more than 100
abstaining. This agreement has been eight years in gestation. You
would have thought, Mr Speaker, that the Opposition would have got
their act together by now. On the point that the right hon. Gentleman
made, I quote from one of his colleagues, who said: If we dont
support a trade deal with liberal, Justin Trudeau-led Canada, who do
we support trade deals with?

Mr Spellar: That was actually me.

Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Post-Brexit, will CETA be

transitioned into a bilateral arrangement, or will there need to be a
fresh Canada-UK agreement?

Greg Hands: My hon. Friend raises an interesting point, and I think

we will have to look at that when we come to it. There are a number of
important aspects of CETA that we might look to replicate in a future
deal, but, for the time being, while we remain a member of the EU, the
UK remains strongly supportive of CETA going through.

I heard the right hon. Member for Warley (Mr Spellar) say that he was
the unnamed Back Bencher referred to in the Politics Home article. It
is good to see that he is now named, and that he is supporting the
Labour partys traditional friends in Canada, the Liberal party.

Technology Sector

Mr Mark Prisk (Hertford and Stortford) (Con): 4. What steps his

Department is taking to increase exports from and foreign direct
investment in the technology sector.

Greg Hands: Since 23 June, the UK has continued to attract

investment from global technology companies, including SoftBanks
purchase of ARM, Facebook expanding by 50% in the UK, Google
pledging to invest an estimated 1 billion, Snapchats new global
headquarters in London and more. This Department additionally
promotes and showcases the UKs leading technology capability
through our overseas network, and via our recently launched digital
platform, GREAT.gov.uk.

Mr Prisk: The global market for smart city technologies is now worth
something in the region of $400 billion. British firms lead the way in
many of the specialisations, but we could win more contracts if there
were a UK approach to a complete smart city solution. I encourage
Ministers to promote greater collaboration, both between businesses
and between businesses and the Government.

Greg Hands: My hon. Friend is absolutely correct and I agree with

everything he said on the size of the UK capability, the size of the
potential market and the need for a Team UK approach, which I
spoke about recently when I visited his smart cities all-party
parliamentary group just two weeks ago. In addition, I can announce
today that two UK companiesCarillion and Zaha Hadid Architects
have secured a contract worth tens of millions of pounds to build a
new headquarters in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, with
support from UK Export Finance, which shows that the UK remains
very much open for business.

Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab): The No. 1 tech Brexit worry is
that when we leave, it will become unlawful to send personal data
from Europe to the UK unless we have achieved an adequacy
declaration from the European Commission about our data privacy
arrangements. Important businesses will overnight become unviable.
Will that declaration be achieved in time?

Greg Hands: Fortuitously, I was in the Chamber for the earlier

Question Time and heard the right hon. Gentleman ask precisely the
same question of the Minister for Digital and Culture. The UK is
committed to implementing the global agreement, and to ensuring that
it works for the UK once we transition outside the European Union.

Mr Alan Mak (Havant) (Con): I welcome the British Business Bank

announcement of 1 billion of funding. Will my right hon. Friend
ensure that the technology sector gets its fair share so that Britains
leadership in the fourth industrial revolution can continue?

Greg Hands: I very much agree with my hon. Friend. I again praise
his work on the fourth industrial revolution both in the House and
beyond. He is a key advocate, not just in the UK but around the
world, of ensuring that the UK takes advantage of its very great
strengths in technology and its technological expertise.

Alison Thewliss (Glasgow Central) (SNP): Figures published by the

Centre for Cities show that Glasgows exports of goods and services
to the EU were worth more than 2.5 billion in 2014. Given the
importance of Scotlands membership of the single market to the
technology sector in Glasgow, will the Minister commit to consider the
Scottish Governments proposals in the Scotlands Place in Europe
paper to keep Scotland in the single market?

Greg Hands: I am very sympathetic to Glasgow maintaining its

exports and capability in smart cities. The UK and the Department for
International Trade follow a whole-UK approach, often working with
key partners such as Scotland Development International. However, I
would point out to the hon. Lady that Scotland remaining in the United
Kingdom is more important. Some four times as much Scottish
produce and capability is exported within the United Kingdom than to
the European Union.

Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): British tech firms have been
unable to go to two US trade shows, and look unlikely to be able to
attend a top conference and exhibition in Singapore, owing to
extensive delays by the Ministers Department in announcing trade
access partnership funding. Will he go back to the Department and
confirm the funding, so that British businesses can attend trade shows
and play their part in boosting our exports and economy?

Greg Hands: The Department continually reviews its products and

services to ensure that it meets its customer needs and represents
good value for the taxpayer. Business planning will be completed very
shortly, so we will be confirming events shortly.

Taiwan

Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Ind): 5. What plans his Department

has to increase trade with Taiwan.

Greg Hands: Building on my visit to Taiwan in September, we will

continue to work with the Taiwanese authorities to address market
access issues and to further increase our trade in this important
market. The UK and Taiwan share a strongly favourable outlook on
free trade and enjoy a robust trade partnership. Bilateral trade
reached 5.9 billion in 2014, up 8% compared with 2010.

Simon Danczuk: I am pleased that the Minister met the Taiwanese

President in September. I hope he shares my belief that as Britain
reaches out to secure more trade deals, we keep in sight our foreign
policy values. Does the Minister agree that increased trade with
Taiwan and the UK is a win for both our economies and our liberal
democratic values?

Greg Hands: I very much agree with the hon. Gentleman. The UK
and Taiwan share so many commitments, including the importance of
environmental protection and the importance of a free society. We also
have very strong shared values of free trade, open markets and an
openness to foreign investment. I had very productive talks with
President Tsai in September. She is a big friend of the United
Kingdom, not least because of her time as an undergraduate at the
London School of Economics.

Jake Berry (Rossendale and Darwen) (Con): 10. I know the

Minister will be aware that back in 2008 Taiwan was granted
Commonwealth Nations Research Society membership. As such, it
will be looking to the Commonwealth Trade Ministers meeting in
London in March. Will he confirm that trade with the Commonwealth
is a top priority for the Government after we leave the European
Union? Will he commit to ensuring that during the trade meeting many
Members from all sides of the House can be involved to ensure key
relationships with Commonwealth parliamentarians?

Greg Hands: Yes. In terms of both trade with Taiwan and the
Commonwealth, the Department remains extremely supportive of
Members being involved. In relation to the Commonwealth Trade
Ministers meeting, I very much hope the Commonwealth
Parliamentary Association will be involved in those discussions.

Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): With trade deals in place for the
likes of Bushmills whiskey and Northern Ireland pork products, will the
Minister outline how he intends to use that success for other agri-food
business products, such as long-life dairy supplied by Lakeland
Dairies to 77 countries across the world?

Greg Hands: When I held talks with the Taiwan authorities in

September, agricultural produce was very much at the centre of those
talks. We talked about pork and poultry exports, and we made real
progress on Scotch whisky. Taiwan is Scotch whiskys third-largest
global market and we made important progress on it being certified by
Taiwan.

Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley) (Con): I know a lot of British

businesses focus on the China market, for obvious reasons, but when
I led a delegation to Taiwan in September, as chairman of the British-
Taiwanese all-party group, I witnessed a vibrant economy. Does the
Minister agree that if British businesses ignore Taiwan they are
missing a trick?

Greg Hands: I totally agree. I think my hon. Friend and I were in

Taiwan at roughly the same time back in September. I applaud the
work he does for the all-party group. Taiwan has been a longstanding
open market for UK goods and services, and we need to ensure that
we work hard to remove the few remaining barriers. That was the
purpose of the Joint Economic Trade Committeeor JETCOtalks in
September. The message from this House should go out loud and
clear to British businesses that Taiwan is a very good place for them to
do their business.

Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): Given that the UK currently

receives two thirds of all investment into Europe from Taiwan, does my
right hon. Friend see any reason why that will not continue after we
leave the EU?

Greg Hands: No.

Topical Questions

Ms Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh (Ochil and South Perthshire) (SNP):

The Secretary of State promised that Parliament would have the
opportunity to debate the important comprehensive economic and
trade agreement between the EU and Canada on the Floor of the
House. Unfortunately, he broke that promise and the debate was
sidelined to an obscure Committee of the House earlier this week.
Given that the UK will soon be responsible for negotiating its own
international trade deals following Brexit, what assurances can the
Minister give the House that parliamentarians with have an opportunity
to fully scrutinise such trade deals in the future, and not be afforded
the discourtesy we unfortunately were in relation to CETA?

Greg Hands: It was not an obscure Committee; it was a two-and-a-

half hour debate in Committee Room 10 following the proper
procedures laid out by the House. I remind the hon. Lady that, at the
end of the debate, she failed to oppose CETA, yet the Scottish
National party in yesterdays deferred Division voted en masse against
it. Like the official Opposition, it changed its position on something that
has been debated for eight years now within the space of merely 24
hours.

Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): When I wrote to the Secretary of

State in November to ask for an investigation into his Departments
support for any British businesses engaged in corrupt practices, he
replied saying that his Department had no power to conduct such an
investigation. Last week, after the publicity surrounding Roll-Royces
deferred prosecution, he announced precisely such an investigation.
When did the powers of his Department change, when will the inquiry
report back, and will he explain why he has refused to comply with the
open government principles of the OECD anti-bribery convention?

Greg Hands: Rolls-Royce has made it clear that it will not tolerate
improper business conduct of any sort. It continues to co-operate fully
with the Serious Fraud Office, and we await the final outcome, on
which it would not be proper to comment beforehand. UK Export
Finance notes, and is reviewing, the statement of facts released as
part of the deferred prosecution agreement with regards to Rolls-
Royce, but the details of the statement are a matter for the SFO and it
would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.

Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con): As the Secretary of State knows, UK

steel is the best in the world. What opportunities does he envisage to
promote the sale of it around the world?

Greg Hands: We take an ongoing and strong interest in the steel

sector. It faces difficulties at present because of the low global steel
price, but we see a good future for UK steel, and the Department
looks forward to taking part in a whole-of-Government approach to
ensuring that it is sold abroad.

Photo news:
Hungarian Trade Minister

Greg Hands MP welcoming Hungarian Trade Minister Dr Laszlo

Szabo for talks at the Department for International Trade.

Greg Hands addresses the Annaul Gala

Dinner of the British-German Chamber of
Commerce in Duesseldorf

Greg Hands MP addressing the British Chamber of Commerce

Annual Gala Dinner in Dsseldorf last week.

Thank you to the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany for

inviting me to speak at your annual gala. I accepted the invitation from
Peter Brock immediately.

Not only because I have some important messages to get across, but
also because there is almost no UK politician with closer natural bonds
to Germany than me.

In fact, I was a little surprised when you told me you wanted me to

deliver this speech in English, as I would have been as happy to give
it in German as I did a 25 minute speech in German in Munich to the
Vereinigung der Bayerischen Wirtschaft in November.

The speech wasnt a problem, although the 45 minute long question

and answer section was more challenging! Returning to my story, I
took advantage of free movement of labour to move to what was then
called West Berlin, in 1985, to take a job as a Bdewarter, in the exotic
location of the Sommerbad Kreuzberg, in an area, then as is now, with
a strong Turkish influence.

I lived for much of the years 1985 to 1988 in West Berlin, doing
whatever holiday jobs I could find, ranging from the Kaufhaus des
Westens (or KaDeWe) to McDonalds.

I was lucky to have studied the German language at school. Only 20%
of British schoolchildren did so in the 1980s - now the figure is
unfortunately below 5%. I want to see that number go back up!

The first part of Germany I entered, as a schoolboy in 1981, was North

Rhine Westphalia.

I was travelling to spend 2 weeks in Gummersbach. An enjoyable

experience albeit not quite as exciting as West Berlin 4 years later!

So I had 6 years of German at school and some school visits -

behind me, but nothing that would have prepared me for the unique
challenge of Berlinerisch when I arrived in Berlin in March 1985.

I took every advantage of the opportunities there.

My wife is from Berlin, and I am the proud father of 2 children who are
just as happy speaking German or English.

My wife is the German teacher at an inner London school, so she is

doing her bit to help!

My children have all the advantages of bilingualism and occasionally

take advantage of having 2 nationalities.

Before the last World Cup, I asked my son, Which country are you
going to support in the tournament?

Papa, he said, I will start with England and then switch to Germany.
He is a clever boy.

So I have a lot of human capital in the British-German relationship.

I also have a lot of political capital in it.

For 12 years, ever since I became an MP, I have been an active

member of the Knigswinter group, I attend the Petersberger Dialog
not far from here, and I have been to 7 different CDU and CSU
Parteitag, of the sister parties of our UK Conservative Party. Some of
my best German friends are politicians from North Rhine Westphalia.

Part of the reason for my political interest is that in the 1980s I wasnt
only interested in doing holiday jobs in West Berlin. I took full
advantage of the citys unique geography to visit East Berlin and the
German Democratic Republic (GDR) in fact, some 48 times. And
also to Czechoslovakia, Poland and so on.

It was very easy in those days to see an alternative system to ours,

just 20 minutes to cross over at Checkpoint Charlie or Bahnhof
Friedrichstrasse. These days, by the way, its a long way to
Pyongyang or Caracas.

Emerging one afternoon in 1985, in East Berlin, as an 19 year old

opened up a whole new world for me, in every sense.

Once one got used to the cheap beer not an insignificant attraction
at that age one quickly realised that this Germany was rather
different to the one on this side of the Wall.

I met political prisoners, like my friend Heiko, who was imprisoned,

merely for seeking to make what was a legal application to leave the
country. I met people who were scornful of their political masters, in a
way that one doesnt experience even in todays world of anti-politics.

Trade - or lack of it - was a key part of the experience. Most of the

goods were shoddy or expensive, or sometimes both. Mouldy oranges
from Cuba. Expensive and unreliable electronics from domestic firms
like Robotron. Cars which were consciously outmoded and outdated,
made of cardboard, like the Trabant and the Wartburg.

And this was in the Eastern Blocks most successful economy - the
GDR. Further afield, the situation could be much worse.

So I was given an early lesson in the importance of the free market

and the great value of free trade. An early lesson which I carry with me
today.

We as politicians, and also as business leaders, need to make the

strong case for free trade.

This has never been more true than today, when for the first time since
1989, free trade is coming under political attack.

In the words of our Prime Minister, Theresa May, we want the UK to

be the most passionate, compelling and convincing advocate for
global free trade.

Let me turn to the UK-Germany relationship.

It is a relationship that I hope very much will remain strong and

dynamic.

The UKs vote to leave the EU was not us turning our back on our
friends in the EU, but to build a more global Britain alongside a strong
Europe.

This comes at a time when the voices of economic nationalism and

anti-globalisation are becoming louder.

We cannot let them drown out the voices of free and open trade.

3 myths about Brexit

There are some who claim the UKs vote to leave the EU is
symptomatic of this trend.

Specifically, that the UK, a once great outward looking nation, is now
turning its back on the world.

That by leaving the EU, we are threatening both its core principles and
future stability.

And finally, that the UK is undermining its own chances for future
economic success.

These are the classic myths of Brexit. Tonight, I want to address each
myth in turn and reiterate beyond any doubt, that the UK will be the
global champion of free trade.

Britain in the world

Let me start with Britains place in the world.

Todays global climate is seeing a slowdown in the growth of global

trade.

Protectionist measures are starting to increase.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has warned that, for the first
time, trade-restrictive practices are now being instigated at a faster
rate than they are being removed.

Yet amidst this climate, it is this UK government that continues to state

its intention to be at the vanguard of a freer global trading system.

Free trade has helped hundreds of millions of people escape the

scourge of poverty; allowed businesses the world over to gain access
to global supply chains and the flow of technology and ideas; and put
power in the hands of consumers giving them access to greater
choice than ever before.

We are strongly committed to free trade!

Whilst we remain an EU member, the UK will fulfil its commitments to

push forward trade deals with Japan and Canada; and outside the
union, we will continue to champion moves towards a more open
global economy, as we take our seat as an independent member of
the World Trade Organisation.

But in Brexit, we also see an opportunity.

This is our moment to build a truly Global Britain. A Britain, that whilst
maintaining and, where possible, strengthening ties with its European
neighbours, also looks to the opportunities beyond the borders of
Europe, as well.

Britain has always been a country with big ambition. We now have an
opportunity to realise that potential.

We will revive trading relationships with global partners, including

those in the Commonwealth and emerging economies from east to
west.

Doing business with the wider world is vital.

Since joining the EU, exports as a percentage of GDP has broadly

stagnated in the UK. In 2015, it stood at 27%, well behind Germanys
impressive 47%. In fact, we are the lowest in the EU28 second
lowest is Greece.

So I am delighted that some of the worlds fastest growing economies,

from North America to the Gulf to China, have already shown interest
in striking future trading deals with the UK.

We will also not forget our global responsibilities.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, NATO, the G7

and the G20 - the UK will continue to play a leading role in tackling the
worlds most pressing problems - from climate change to terrorism.

We are the only G7 country to meet its obligations to spend both 2%

of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defence, and also 0.7% of GNI
on international development.

The UK doesnt do isolationism; internationalism is in our DNA.

EU / UK

Let me turn to the second myth, concerning our relationship with the
EU.

The UK has no intention of undermining the stability of the EU, nor do

we want to become more distant to our European neighbours.

We want the EU to be a success and we want its member states to

prosper. That remains overwhelmingly and compellingly in Britains
national interest.

On 24 June 2016, I didnt wake up and feel any less European. I

remember consoling my son, who was in tears, and trying to explain
what the result meant.

Being European is an intrinsic part of my British identity.

Our shared values of democracy, tolerance and diversity will endure.

No referendum can change that.

But I am, above all, a democratic politician. More people voted to

leave the EU in Britain than have voted for anything else in our British
history.

They gave this government a democratic instruction, which we must

now deliver on.

We want to be the best friend and neighbour to our European partners.

We want to continue to have the closest possible relationship on trade,

whilst also maintaining our defence, security and cultural ties.

These ties have sowed peace throughout the continent for 70 years.
No-one is turning the clock back.

Looking forward, our first priority will be to build a strong and vibrant
future trading relationship with the EU.

I hope, as Chancellor Merkel too has said, that these negotiations can
be done in parallel, alongside the negotiations about our exit.

We want to maintain the greatest possible access to the single market,

the destination for 44% of our exports, just as Im sure EU businesses
would like continued access to the UK market, with which they trade a
70 billion surplus.

In 2015, to North Rhine Westphalia, the UK exported 9.5 billion of

goods and services. 14 billion went in the other direction almost
50% more. This includes automotive, machines, metals,
pharmaceuticals, chemicals and much more.

The UK actually imports more from Germany, as a whole, than from all
of the Americas combined.

That is why we will aim to pursue a bold and ambitious free trade
agreement with the EU.

One which allows for the freest possible trade in goods and services
between companies and consumers in the UK and those across
Europe.

In all trade negotiations, countries set out the institutions, industries

and values they must maintain; whilst also outlining the flexibility they
have to reach an agreement.

This is the first and arguably most important step.

Both the UK and EU member states will keep their national interests at
the heart of the negotiations throughout the exit process and this is
as it should be. Anything else would be a dereliction of duty.

But the long-standing tradition of cooperation between the UK and the

EU will give us a strong starting point for such negotiations.

Both sides will be seeking to keep as close a relationship as possible

in many areas.

Ultimately, we want the best deal for Britain, but this doesnt have to
come at the expense of other member states. Trade is not a zero sum
game; nor are security or defence.

Businesses around the world have told me that a severe dislocation in

our trading arrangement would be unhelpful and unwelcome.

Look at our interlinked supply chains. Five countries, including the UK

and Germany, are involved in manufacturing each Airbus plane. One
in 5 BMW engines is made in the UK.

That is why Prime Minister Theresa May emphasised the need of a

phased process of implementation regarding a future trading
arrangement.

This will avoid a disruptive cliff edge, allowing enough time for
businesses to prepare for new arrangements.

This is the common sense approach and ensures businesses from

Dusseldorf to Dundee, and consumers from Cottbus to Cardiff dont
suffer.

Businesses in the UK and here in North Rhine Westphalia must help

ensure that pragmatism triumphs over political point scoring and over
abstract political ideas - for the sake of all our interests.

Jobs and consumers must come first.

Most people in this room should not be surprised when I say that of all
Germanys Bundeslnder, North Rhine Westphalia is the one of
greatest economic importance to the UK.

A relationship born initially out of necessity and the ashes of conflict, is

now one of vibrant economic exchange.

You are our biggest trading partner, receiving 30% of our exports to
Germany.

61,000 Germans work for the 1,400 British companies based here.

We are your third biggest investor.

National Express now run 2 regional rail services here in North Rhine
Westphalia, winning contracts thanks to rail liberalisation in both
countries.

A.O. World Plc a UK online electrical retailer, which does next-day

delivery of washing machines and other appliances - is revolutionising
service delivery in Germany and has recently opened its European
headquarters, 50km away from here, in Bergheim-Paffendorf
creating 300 jobs.

But it is a 2 way street.

Every day, over 100,000 people wake up in the UK to go and work for
578 companies from this state.

Behind these figures lies an undeniable truth. The fortunes of

Germany and the UK are inextricably linked.

So lets approach the coming years as partners with a shared

purpose: harnessing the principles of free trade to secure our mutual
economic well-being.

Economic future

The final myth I want to address is that the UK will somehow be less
competitive and less successful outside the EU.

Having served as the number 2 UK Treasury Minister, I know very well

the strength of the UK economy.

It would be wrong to underestimate its resilience and potential.

The UKs fundamental economic strengths will not change.

We have a business environment that is second to none. A low

regulation economy combined with a widely admired system of
contractual law.

Our world beating universities feed a highly skilled and flexible

workforce, and London is widely considered the financial capital of the
world.

Our recently launched Industrial Strategy means we will continue to

pioneer a whole host of new technologies, working with industry and
universities, to ensure Britain remains the location of choice for many
sectors - from automotive to fin tech to aerospace.

And global business realises this.

Since the referendum, around 16 billion has been invested in the UK

from overseas - a clear vote of confidence.

Siemens have confirmed future investment in UK R&D; and chemical

distribution firm Brenntag will invest over 50 million, over the next 5
years, in the UK.

The political infrastructure is now also in place.

My newly established Department for International Trade places trade

firmly at the heart of government policy making.

This department will serve as a perennial symbol of the UKs global

spirit.

We have an ambitious remit: to promote UK companies abroad; to

continue to attract the highest levels of inward investment in Europe
as well as promote outward investment; and to develop our trade
policy capability which has already seen the number of UK trade
policy experts quadruple since the referendum.

We are assembling the tools to ensure the UK becomes a beacon for

open trade around the world.

Conclusion

To conclude, standing here in North Rhine Westphalia, I am always

reminded about what can be achieved when our two nations pull
together to defend our shared values across trade, culture, defence
and security.

The formation of this federal state 71 years ago ushered in that

unprecedented level of cooperation.

It was the start of a bilateral relationship which preceded the very

existence of the European Union.

It showed that our ties were strong enough to endure whatever

uncertainties the second half of the 20th Century would bring.

They remain strong now, and will continue to be so in the future.

Like I said before, no referendum can change that.

Thank you.

Photo news:
Hands addresses Chinese New Year
reception of the Parliamentary China Group

Greg Hands MP speaking at the Chinese New Year reception of

the Parliamentary China Group, sponsored by the China-Britain
Business Council.

Greg Hands addresses the All Party

Parliamentary Group on Smart Cities, in
the Churchill Room of the House of
Commons

Greg Hands MP giving a speech on Smart Cities in the House of

Commons last week.

I would like to thank Mark [Prisk] for inviting me here today, and take
this opportunity to recognise the important work of the APPG on smart
cities.

You are a vital voice in a necessary debate, and I look forward to

working with you and your members in my role as Minister of State at
the Department for International Trade.

As recently as 20 years ago, the term smart cities would not have
registered with most people - myself included!

It would have been incredulous to think of a city where every person

could access real time information on where there was a free car
parking space; a city where refuse collectors know exactly when your
recycling bins are full; and where urban parks are designed to
promote biodiversity, reduce CO2, and give you free wi-fi connection
throughout.

But the pace of change has been astonishing.

This is all happening right now!

In London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, and other cities across the UK

- services like these are becoming commonplace.

Though using data to understand and ultimately alleviate social

problems is nothing new.

In the 19th Century, John Snow created the cholera maps, which
located the source of Londons cholera epidemic in Soho.

At a similar time, Charles Booths surveys of working class life in

London created the famous poverty maps which etched a street by
street depiction of income levels across the capital.

We now live in a world where technology is ubiquitous and the ability

to collect and access data is easier than ever before.

We also live in a world of finite resources, coupled with a population

set to reach almost 10 billion by 2050, according to the UN.

This presents many challenges but also a golden opportunity to use

technology to enhance economic development, sustainability and
quality of life for people in urban environments from Manchester to
Mumbai.

So, my commitment to you today is simple. The UK will seize this

opportunity and this government will pull out all the stops to ensure
British business leads the way in making the cities of the UK and the
world smarter.

UK capability

There are 3 ways we will do this. First, we will continue building our
domestic capability.

Innovate UK - the governments innovation agency has, over the last

5 years, invested nearly 100 million in projects to help our cities
prepare for a sustainable future.

32 million has been spent on the UKs internet of things (IoT)

programme, including Cityverve in Manchester - a smart city
demonstrator that will help improve public services for local citizens,
such as transport, energy, health and culture.

Bristol and Milton Keynes are internationally recognised as leaders in

smart city technology. They are making use of sensors to monitor air
pollution levels, energy usage, water consumption, and even living
patterns at home to detect early signs of illness.

These examples are testament to the simple truth that open data
requires open minds.

We must continue to see technology as a key that unlocks the

potential of our cities - making them more responsive to their
inhabitants.

Opportunities overseas

Whilst we build our domestic capability around smart cities, we must

also be alive to the opportunity overseas, which brings me onto my
second point.

Arup estimates that the global market for smart cities could be worth
$400 billion per year by 2020.

The UK has internationally recognised strengths in integrating city-

wide systems around transport, energy and security networks; as well
as in data and spatial analytics.

Our excellent engineering and architectural firms have already used

their urban planning and design expertise to create smart cities
around the world.

And standards set by the British Standards Institute, on smart cities

and the internet of things, are used the world over.

The possibilities are endless. These exportable capabilities can make

the transport infrastructure of world cities more efficient, their
healthcare providers more dedicated, and their emergency systems
more responsive.

The Department for International Trades smart cities team will support
UK companies in taking advantage of these overseas opportunities,
as well as attracting inward investment for UK smart city projects.

The team and I will be in Barcelona for Mobile World Congress, where
we will be showcasing British expertise in cloud technology, sensors
and artificial intelligence all on the UK stand.

British firms are already thriving abroad.

Space Syntax, our sponsors this evening, are working with AECOM on
designing the growth of Saudi Arabias port city, Jeddah; over 30
countries have implemented Essex-based Telensas smart street
lighting technology; and Finnish telecoms giant Nokia is investing in
the Bristol is Open smart city initiative, which is being led by the local
council and the University of Bristol.

In November, I accompanied the Prime Minister on her visit to India,

where she and Prime Minister Modi announced an Anglo-Indian
Partnership on smart cities and urban development, which could
unlock 2 billion worth of business.

Running parallel to the visit, my department led a trade mission of UK

companies to the India Tech Summit, before taking them onto Pune
and Kochi to see the smart city opportunities first hand.

Indias ambition to create 100 smart cities provides UK firms with a

huge opportunity.

In cities across Asia and Africa, smart cities arent a nice to have, but
a social necessity. With Indias urban population expected to reach
590 million by 2030, the problems of resource depletion and
demographic change are both immediate and acute.

This government will ensure our smart city capability is evolving to

meet the needs of urban populations the world over.

Ways of working

My final point on how the UK can continue to lead the world in smart
city capability, involves a change in how government and industry
work together.

If individual UK companies are already garnering success overseas,

imagine what we can achieve with greater levels of co-operation.

I would like to see our urban planners working with our security,
transport and e-health specialist companies, so we can present a
single UK smart city offer to the world.

This requires a step up in the co-operation between government and

industry. A step we should look to take.

For if we are to lead the world in smart cities, our approach too has to
be smart.

Conclusion

Before I close, I want to reiterate that the UK can be recognised as the

global hub of smart city technology.

We should be bold in our thinking and use our already enviable

capability in this area to make the worlds cities more sustainable,
responsive and smart.

Our aim should be to make peoples lives easier and more enjoyable.

Indeed, it was Shakespeare who said, What is a city but the people?

It is an exciting challenge. But one that the UK is more than ready to

accept.

Thank you.

Photo news:
Wandsworth, Chelsea & Fulham Sea
Cadets

Greg Hands MP with a trustee and a cadet from the Wandsworth,

Chelsea and Fulham Sea Cadets. For more on the Cadets, see
below.

TS Challenger - Wandsworth, Chelsea and

Fulham Sea Cadets
A loud Ahoy There! from Wandsworth, Chelsea and Fulham Sea
Cadets.

For those who havent seen us on the river by Putney Bridge, we are a
self-financed charity affiliated to the national Sea Cadets organisation.

We work with around 30 young people aged 10-18 of all backgrounds,

helping them develop into resourceful adults through waterborne
practical activities, adventure and training.

Our cadets spend as much time on the Thames as possible where

they learn boat handling, sailing, rowing and canoeing. They also
attend national courses on yachts and on our square rigged sailing
ship TS Royalist where they make friends from around the UK. We
compete in boating, football and athletics against other cadet units
nationally. Our cadets gain RYA and BCA qualifications on the water
(eventually progressing to Instructor level), as well as BTEC
qualifications in a wide range of subjects on land.

We also contribute to community life in many ways. We assist at

Remembrance Day parades, run a stall at the Parsons Green Fair and
help organise the Devizes to Westminster Canoe race.

Its fun and friendly. Everyone makes friends and learns a lot.

We have roughly equal numbers of girls and boys, about a third of

whom are from Chelsea and Fulham. We are always looking for new
joiners and adult volunteers.

So if you, or a young person you know, like the sound of us then

please come down to the Unit (see below) or drop us a line to
challengerscc@btinternet.com.

See you on the water!

A few details: We meet on Tuesday and/or Friday evenings, and all

day Sunday. Membership is very reasonable at 50 per term. Our
address is Ashlone Buildings, Putney Embankment SW15 1LB. Tel:
020 8789 2643.

George Fowkes
Chair of Trustees

Photo news:
Hands meets with former French Prime
Minister

Greg Hands MP with former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre

Raffarin and the rest of his delegation examining the
consequences of Brexit, with the French Ambassador, Sylvie
Bermann.

7 ways to contact Greg Hands MP:

By Phone: 020 7219 5448
By email: mail@greghands.com
By post: Greg Hands MP
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA
In person: Click here for details of how
to book an appointment at
Greg Handss weekly
surgery

www.greghands.com

More news from Greg Hands MP, coming soon

Please forward this email on to anyone you think may be interested. If

you have had this email forwarded to you and would like to be added
to the mailing list, please send an email to: news@greghands.com
with JOIN in the subject heading.

To unsubscribe from this list, please return an e-mail to

news@greghands.com with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subject heading.

www.greghands.com

Published & Promoted by Jonathan Fraser-Howells on behalf of Greg Hands, both of 44 Southern Row, London, W10 5AN