Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the Trade Remedies Authority’s reviews into Hot Rolled Flat and Coil steel (Category 1 products), and the potential impact of Tata Steel UK's decarbonisation plans on the UK's steel import demand, what steps they are taking to ensure that the UK's trade remedies framework remains responsive and effective in addressing both current and emerging challenges in the steel sector.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Lainston - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
As part of reforming the trade remedies framework, legislation was laid in September 2023, which created additional flexibility for Ministers with respect to decisions regarding the steel safeguard. On 9 February 2024 the Trade Remedies Authority initiated a ‘TRQ review’ and a ‘suspension assessment’ of product category 1 of the steel safeguard measure. As their investigations remain ongoing, I cannot comment further nor prejudice their final recommendation.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to engage with UK producers and importers of steel products, in response to the Trade Remedies Authority's Statement of Intended Final Determination, published 21 February.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Lainston - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Officials within the Department for Business and Trade take a proactive approach when engaging with industry and encourage them to share their views directly with the Trade Remedies Authority. Stakeholders who are formally registered as interested parties to the extension review can submit additional information and evidence to the Trade Remedies Authority.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact on the UK steel industry and the broader economy if the UK's steel safeguard measures were not extended beyond 30 June.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Trade Remedies Authority published their preliminary findings on the steel safeguard extension review on the 21 February, which set out that evidence pointed towards a likelihood of recurrence of injury to UK steel producers, should the steel safeguard not be extended.
Their review remains ongoing, and I cannot comment further nor prejudice their final recommendation. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade will make a decision after she is sent a final recommendation.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they will respond to the Trade Remedies Authority's interim findings of its review of the UK's steel safeguard measure, published 21 February, in particular its proposal for extending the safeguard for a further two years; and what steps they are taking to ensure that the UK steel industry remains protected from import surges in line with the Trade Remedies Authority recommendations.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Lainston - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Trade Remedies Authority has published its preliminary findings of their extension review of the steel safeguard measure. Their review remains ongoing, and the Department for Business and Trade cannot comment further nor prejudice their final recommendation.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Trade Remedies Authority's interim finding from its review of the UK's steel safeguard measure, published 21 February, that serious injury would recur to UK producers across all 15 categories of steel if the safeguard measure were to be removed; and how this assessment will influence their response to the Trade Remedies Authority's recommendation that the safeguard measure should be extended.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Lainston - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Trade Remedies Authority has published its preliminary findings of their extension review of the steel safeguard measure. Their review remains ongoing, and the Department for Business and Trade cannot comment further nor prejudice their final recommendation.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many trade envoys are the subject of complaints for behaviour contrary to the Prime Minister’s guidelines on conduct.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
None.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will place a copy of the conduct guidelines issued to trade envoys in the Library of the House.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I will arrange for a copy of their Terms of Reference to be placed in the library.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish an up-to-date list of trade envoys.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
An up-to-date list of the Prime Minister’s Trade can be found on www.gov.uk/government/groups/trade-envoys.