Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to establish a "labour consultative or advisory body, or similar mechanism, for members of the public, including representatives of labour and business organisations, to provide views on" matters in the UK–Australia Trade Agreement, as provided for in Article 21.15 of that Agreement.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
We recognise the importance of the involvement and monitoring of labour-related issues by UK stakeholders on this agreement.
That is why this deal establishes a committee for cooperation, and UK stakeholders will have the opportunity for consultation and active engagement. The provisions agreed allow for businesses and other labour organisations to support the effective implementation of the agreement. We are currently considering options for how this can be best achieved.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what meetings have been held as part of the comprehensive stakeholder engagement programme being undertaken on future trade relations, as set out in the Department for International Trade’s document, Preparing for our future trade policy.
Answered by Baroness Fairhead
The Department for International Trade’s Ministerial team and officials have engaged widely with business and civil society on our future UK trade policy since the referendum.
My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade hosted seminars with stakeholders and in October 2017 held a roundtable with representatives from trade associations including the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and Engineering Employers’ Federation (EEF). Officials have also organised townhall meetings, roundtable discussions and held bilateral meetings with business and civil society representatives.
This department will continue to engage with stakeholders from across the whole of the UK as we develop our policy on future trade relations.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the timetable for appointing the new network of Trade Commissioners, as described on page 29 of the Department for International Trade’s October document, Preparing for our future trade policy.
Answered by Baroness Fairhead
The nine new Her Britannic Majesty’s Trade Commissioners will form a cadre of senior leaders for the Department for International Trade, who will lead and drive our future commercial and trading relationships with our overseas partners. We anticipate that all appointments will be made in 2018.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what are their objectives for the WTO’s 11th Ministerial Conference, taking place in December; and who will be the UK participants.
Answered by Baroness Fairhead
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is the home of the rules-based international system for global trade. As a founding member of the WTO, the United Kingdom is committed to the multilateral trading system. The UK wants to see a successful outcome at the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference, and looks forward to discussing a range of important trade issues, including fisheries subsidies, digital trade, agricultural domestic support and public stockholding, domestic regulation in services and investment facilitation.
The United Kingdom’s official delegation will be headed by my Rt Hon Friends the Secretary of State for International Trade and the Minister of State for Trade Policy. They will be supported by officials from the Department for International Trade, the Department for International Development, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to convert EU Regulation 1035/2016 into UK law; and, if so, which UK body will assume the role of the European Commission for the investigation of under-pricing of vessels by foreign countries and the imposition of fines or other actions against relevant parties.
Answered by Lord Price
The Great Repeal Bill will provide legal certainty by converting the body of existing EU law into UK law, wherever practical and appropriate, at the point of exit.
The Government will also establish, through legislation the essential tools we need to deliver the best international trading framework for the UK as we leave the European Union and in the future, including an effective Trade Remedies regime.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the UK's exit from the EU, whether they are planning to introduce primary legislation dealing with foreign investment in UK companies.
Answered by Lord Price
Until the UK leaves the EU, we will remain subject to EU trade and investment agreements and policy. We will in due course consider all options in the design of future bilateral trade and investment agreements.