Asked by: Chris Leslie (The Independent Group for Change - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many trade-related agreements, that are not full Free Trade Agreements, would require rolling-over to ensure that the UK continues to trade with non-EU countries on substantially the same terms after (a) 29 March 2019 and (b) any implementation period.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Government is seeking to deliver continuity of existing international agreements as we leave the EU.
The EU has agreed to notify third countries that, during the implementation period, the UK is treated as an EU member state for the purposes of international agreements. This includes all EU international agreements, including free trade, and trade-related agreements. This provides a basis for continuity across all such agreements during this period.
In parallel, we’ve been engaging with third countries to identify which agreements are relevant, important and need action. Where this is the case, we are working with them to put in place successor agreements that replicate the effects of existing agreements as far as possible and which will come into force following the implementation period or on exit in the event of a ‘no deal’ scenario. The Secretary of State recently deposited information in the House Library on those international agreements which have already been signed and those which we expect to sign shortly. A number of these agreements include trade-related elements; for example the Trade in Wine Agreement with Australia, and Mutual Recognition Agreements with Australia and New Zealand. There are other agreements where the UK is seeking to ensure readiness by the end of March 2019. The precise number will depend on ongoing discussions with third countries, and we will provide a further update on these other agreements after technical discussions have concluded.
Asked by: Chris Leslie (The Independent Group for Change - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether his Department plans to update its website entitled Information about the Withdrawal Bill to reflect the decision of the House to pass amendment 7 to clause 9 of the EU (Withdrawal) Bill.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Government has provided a range of explanatory material to accompany the EU (Withdrawal) Bill in its passage through Parliament. We will update this material periodically to reflect any changes to the Bill as necessary.
Asked by: Chris Leslie (The Independent Group for Change - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, in what format and by what date he plans to publish his Department's plan for the UK's negotiations on exiting the EU; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robin Walker
We will set out our broad plans before triggering Article 50 by the end of next March, repeating the proviso as agreed by the House on 12 October 2016, without division, confirmed on the 7th December, that nothing we do or say should undermine the UK's negotiating position.
Asked by: Chris Leslie (The Independent Group for Change - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the UK remaining a member of the European Economic Area.
Answered by Robin Walker
We want to see UK companies having the maximum freedom to trade with and operate in the Single Market, and for EU companies to be able to do the same here.
We are currently looking at all the options. To support this work, officials across Government are carrying out a programme of sectoral and regulatory analysis, which will identify the key factors for UK businesses and the labour force that will affect our negotiations with the EU. They are looking in detail at over 50 sectors as well as cross-cutting regulatory issues.
As the UK is party to the EEA agreement only in its capacity as an EU member state, once we leave the European Union the EEA agreement will automatically cease to apply to the UK.The model we are seeking is one unique to the United Kingdom and not an off the shelf solution.
Asked by: Chris Leslie (The Independent Group for Change - Nottingham East)
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 to negotiate a transitional agreement with the EU so that existing trading arrangements for UK companies will be able to continue beyond 1 April 2019; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Prime Minister has said we want a smooth and orderly exit from the EU, and to provide certainty where we can. How the government achieves that will depend on the nature of the negotiations and the agreement reached with the EU, but it would not be in the interests of either side– Britain or the EU – to see disruption. The government is considering all possible options, focusing on the mutual interests of the UK and the EU.
Asked by: Chris Leslie (The Independent Group for Change - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, if he will take steps to ensure that negotiations on the UK's exit from the EU will support the UK's insurance industry so that it remains a significant UK export industry.
Answered by Robin Walker
We fully recognise the UK insurance industry’s valuable contribution to our economy. As a Commons report found last year, the Financial and Insurance Services Sector contributed £124.4bn to the UK economy, and represented 8% of GVA.
The UK insurance industry is the largest in the world, and manages over £1.9 trillion of investments.
The industry is underpinned by a number of factors including a pool of liquidity in the UK and significant expertise built up over decades.
We have held a number of meetings with the insurance industry and DExEU and HMT recently held a roundtable with representatives of the financial services industry including leading insurers to ensure all views are reflected in our analysis of the options for the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.
The government is committed to ensuring the UK remains a world leader in this area.