Asked by: Anum Qaisar (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the intended contents of the UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement include provisions for transport technology.
Answered by James Duddridge
On 20 July, negotiations between the UK and Israel for an upgraded, innovation-focused Free Trade Agreement (FTA) were launched. As part of this, our strategic approach to the negotiations was published on GOV.UK. This document sets out the UK’s key objectives in these negotiations.
Asked by: Anum Qaisar (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether there will be provisions in place within any free trade deal between the UK and Israel on strengthening the rights of Palestinians working in Israel and the Occupied Territories.
Answered by James Duddridge
The Government has high regard for worker protections and has made clear that we will not compromise on these in our trade agreements. All our negotiations seek to ensure commitment to international labour protections, including at the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Asked by: Anum Qaisar (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what advice her Department has received from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on how a UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement could impact human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Answered by James Duddridge
The Department for International Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office discuss the interlinkages between the UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement, and the wider UK-Israel foreign policy relationship on a regular basis. This joined-up approach has informed the published strategic approach to the UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement, including the Government's approach to these issues.
The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world and we remain committed to the promotion of universal human rights.
Asked by: Anum Qaisar (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether her Department has sought advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on how a UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement could safeguard the UK's human rights commitments in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Answered by James Duddridge
The Department for International Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office discuss the interlinkages between the UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement, and the wider UK-Israel foreign policy relationship on a regular basis. This joined-up approach has informed the published strategic approach to the UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement, including the Government's approach to these issues.
The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world and we remain committed to the promotion of universal human rights.
Asked by: Anum Qaisar (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether provisions will be in place within any free trade deal between the UK and Israel on ensuring explicit exclusion of preferential trading terms for (a) goods and services exports produced in or (b) investment in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Answered by James Duddridge
Under the current UK-Israel agreement, goods imported from illegal settlements are not entitled to the benefits from trade preferences. Palestinian goods imported from the Occupied Palestinian Territories benefit from the trade preferences in the bilateral agreement negotiated between the UK and the Palestinian Authority.
The UK does not recognise the Occupied Palestinian Territories as part of Israel, including illegal settlements.
Asked by: Anum Qaisar (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether provisions will be in place within any free trade deal between the UK and Israel on ensuring that preferential treatment does not cover trade with illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Answered by James Duddridge
Under the current UK-Israel agreement, goods imported from illegal settlements are not entitled to the benefits from trade preferences. Palestinian goods imported from the Occupied Palestinian Territories benefit from the trade preferences in the bilateral agreement negotiated between the UK and the Palestinian Authority.
The UK does not recognise the Occupied Palestinian Territories as part of Israel, including illegal settlements.
Asked by: Anum Qaisar (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the intended contents of the UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement include provisions for arms trade.
Answered by James Duddridge
No. Defence matters are outside the scope of all UK Free Trade Agreements (FTA).
The Government takes its arms export responsibilities very seriously and aims to operate one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. An FTA with Israel will not impact on export controls in relation to arms exports.