Mr John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): What conclusions does the Minister draw from the fact that exports from some countries outside the EU to the EU are increasing more rapidly than our own?
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr Hugo Swire): My right hon. Friend will be aware of my earlier comment that trade with the EU has been adversely affected by the downturn in the EU economy. I think what it shows is the flexibility of the British economy, not least because we did not join the euro and because this Government have a more determined approach to driving exports globally, both with our existing partners and in emerging markets.
October 31, 2013
It would have been better if he had actually answered the question. Of course he could not because either he did not know or it would have been embarrassing as it would have highlighted how past certainly (seeing as how Labour has made a pigs ear of everything) and maybe current policies have put the UK at a disadvantage.