Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement: Scrutiny

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:39 pm on 19 July 2022.

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Photo of Derek Twigg Derek Twigg Labour, Halton 12:39, 19 July 2022

We have heard criticism today not just from the Opposition Benches but from the Government Benches—and I say to Anthony Mangnall that in my years in this House I have heard few such forensic and detailed assessments of the way in which the Government are ignoring the importance of scrutiny and democracy. The Minister, and the Government, did promise that there would be scrutiny by the House—that was made very clear—so may I ask the Minister why he thinks it is a good idea for the House not to scrutinise and debate this trade agreement before the Government ratify it?