Asked by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds Central)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether it is within the terms of the draft withdrawal agreement and implementation period for the EU to exclude UK firms from bidding for contracts for the Galileo programme.
Answered by Suella Braverman
The draft Withdrawal Agreement states that ‘where such participation [in an information exchange, procedure or programme] would grant access to security related security information that only Member States are to have knowledge of, in such exceptional circumstances [….] shall be understood as not including the UK’.
We do not agree that this provision should apply to Galileo. The UK is an integral partner in the programme through our provision of expertise and value. Both sides are seeking an arrangement that provides strong EU-UK cooperation in the fields of foreign, security and defence policy.
We have made clear our desire for the UK’s involvement in EU space programmes to continue as part of our new security partnership, in a way that is fair and open to the UK and UK industry. The UK is a world leader in satellite and secure software technology and expects to discuss all options for future collaboration in EU space programmes as part of the exit negotiations - including full participation in Galileo.
This is a view shared by stakeholders in the industry, for example the Chief Executive of Airbus who recently wrote that ‘Britain and the EU nations must adopt a more pragmatic stance on flagship space and defence programmes that seek to enable closer working between militaries. At present the UK faces being left out, which benefits only those who pose security risks to all of us.’
Asked by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds Central)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether UK representatives will be able to (a) attend and (b) participate in meetings of the (i) European Aviation Safety Authority, (ii) European Medicines Agency and (iii) the European Chemicals Agency after 1 April 2019.
Answered by Steve Baker - Minister of State (Northern Ireland Office)
The agreement we have reached with the EU on the terms of the implementation period will enable UK participation in EU bodies and agencies during this period where it is in the mutual interest of the UK and the EU. The exact nature of that participation will be a matter for further discussion.
As a non-member state, we have been clear that the UK will no longer have the same role in the decision-making of the EU. However, it is clearly in the interests of both sides that the UK continues to participate in some EU agencies, bodies and meetings.
The Prime Minister set out in her Mansion House Speech on 2 March 2018 that we will want to explore with the EU, the terms on which the UK could remain part of EU agencies such as those that are important for the chemicals, medicines and aerospace industries: the EMA, the ECHA and EASA.
Asked by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds Central)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether the Government has made an assessment of the effect on Anguilla of the UK leaving the EU; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robin Walker
The UK Government is working closely with Anguilla, and the other Overseas Territories, to enable them to understand the implications of the UK leaving the EU, through the creation of the UK – Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council on European Negotiations. This forum is co-chaired by DExEU and FCO ministers and convened on three occasions in 2017. In addition, the Prime Minister also met with the leaders of the Overseas Territories last November.
Going forward, we have been clear that we want to negotiate a new relationship with the EU that works for the whole of the extended British family and have committed to continue working closely with the Overseas Territories as the negotiations progress.
Asked by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds Central)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether Anguilla will be covered by the implementation period as part of the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Robin Walker
As the Prime Minister has set out, we are seeking a strictly time-limited implementation period as part of our withdrawal negotiations, to provide certainty and stability for both people and businesses - in the UK and in the EU - to adjust to the new arrangements in a smooth and orderly way. It is the UK’s consistent position that our negotiations extend to include UK Overseas Territories, including Anguilla, in those areas where their association with the EU is affected.
Asked by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds Central)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether it is his policy for Turkey to be included in any trade agreement reached with the EU.
Answered by Robin Walker
Many of the UK’s relationships with non-EU partners and international organisations rest in some way on the UK’s membership of the EU. DExEU is leading a process to explore what action is needed across international agreements with third countries. Our priority is to aim for continuity, recognising the need to promote stability for businesses and individuals.
As the Secretary of State said at the Exiting the European Union Select Committee on 24 January, our future economic relationship with the EU will be agreed between the UK and the EU.
We want to put in place mechanisms to make our exit as frictionless as possible with respect to UK-Turkey trade.
Asked by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds Central)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether he has made an estimate of the number of people currently employed in the UK on testing products to ensure that they meet EU requirements.
Answered by Steve Baker - Minister of State (Northern Ireland Office)
We fully recognise the importance of the UK’s world-leading assessment and measurement services. As the range of products tested in the UK is so broad, the information you have requested is not held centrally by the Department for Exiting the European Union.
Asked by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds Central)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, if he will place in the Library a list of all the bilateral and multilateral agreements that the EU is party to.
Answered by Steve Baker - Minister of State (Northern Ireland Office)
The EU Treaties Office Database is publicly available and provides details of the bilateral and multilateral treaties that the EU is a party to. I would refer the Rt Hon Member to this list.
http://ec.europa.eu/world/agreements/default.home.do
Asked by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds Central)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether his Department (a) has drafted or (b) is drafting a market access commission on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.
Answered by Steve Baker - Minister of State (Northern Ireland Office)
We are undertaking a comprehensive programme of work looking at the implications of UK withdrawal from the EU. The Department for Exiting the European Union is working with other Government departments to examine all areas of the UK economy, seeking input from a wide range of stakeholders. This work continues.
The sector reports recently shared with Members and Peers form part of this work. Amongst other things, they contain factual information describing each sector and a summary of sector views of the implications of UK withdrawal.
Asked by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds Central)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether his Department (a) has carried out or (b) is carrying out a market access assessment on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.
Answered by Robin Walker
We are undertaking a comprehensive programme of analytical work looking at the implications of UK withdrawal from the EU.
The Government is examining all areas of the UK economy and seeking input from a wide range of businesses and industry bodies in order to inform our negotiations with the EU.
Asked by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds Central)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether his Department has established a market access commission on the implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.
Answered by Robin Walker
We are undertaking a comprehensive programme of analytical work looking at the implications of UK withdrawal from the EU.
The Government is examining all areas of the UK economy and seeking input from a wide range of businesses and industry bodies in order to inform our negotiations with the EU.