Last Thursday I had the opportunity to press the UK Government on a number of important topics.

We started with Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for International Trade. I pressed the Secretary of State to confirm that the UK will not be seeking trade agreements with countries like Saudi Arabia, who hold poor human rights records. You can read a transcript of my question in Hansard, or watch it on ParliamentTV.

The Secretary of State for International Trade then made a Ministerial Statement on the finalisation of a free trade agreement with New Zealand. I asked whether the Government had considered the culminative effect of all these small trade deals on certain industries, like farming, who will be feeling much of the impact of the policy. You can read a transcript of my question in Hansard, or watch it on ParliamentTV.

We then heard the Leader of the House announce the order of business for the upcoming week. I took the opportunity to ask the Leader whether he would consider scheduling a debate on the requirement for telecoms companies to engage with local communities when planning projects such as 5G masts. This has been a particular bone of contention in the constituency in recent months, and I was grateful for the chance to bring this to the House’s attention. You can read a transcript of my question in Hansard, or watch it on ParliamentTV.