Asked by: Deidre Brock (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh North and Leith)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking to incorporate into her trade negotiations the UK's priorities on promoting nature-based solutions at the UNFCC COP26 and the Convention on Biological Diversity COP.
Answered by Conor Burns
We’re clear that more trade doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment. We are exploring all options in the design of future trade and investment agreements, including possible environmental provisions.
We are committed to upholding the UK’s high environmental standards and will consider the full range of mechanisms available to us.
The Department is considering ways to maximise trade and investment opportunities in clean growth sectors during, and in the run up to, COP26.
The UK is also seeking an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework to spur global action, recognising the important role of nature-based solutions.
Asked by: Deidre Brock (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh North and Leith)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether (a) his Department, (b) his Department's agencies and (c) his Department's associated public bodies have entered into contracts with Emerdata Limited in the last year.
Answered by George Hollingbery
The Department for International Trade (DIT) has not held any contracts with Emerdata Limited in the last year. DIT does not currently have any agencies or public bodies.
Asked by: Deidre Brock (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh North and Leith)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on food imports from the US of the United States-European Union Negotiations: Summary of Specific Negotiating Objectives, published by the Office of the United States Trade representative in February 2019.
Answered by George Hollingbery
The US published its negotiating objectives for the EU in January 2019. These take a similar form to their objectives for other trade partners. As with all international negotiations, the publication of these objectives marks the beginning of the negotiating process and not the end.
Asked by: Deidre Brock (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh North and Leith)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how much money his Department has spent on hospitality in each of the last five years.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
It is not possible to fully separate the individual costs of hospitality from wider events management costs and venue hire fees. Department policy states that expenditure should be kept as low as possible, compatible with the occasion.
Asked by: Deidre Brock (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh North and Leith)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many people in his Department with responsibility for social media are employed on an (a) full and (b) part-time basis.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
There are five people employed in the Department for International Trade, who only have responsibility for social media and are employed on a full-time basis.
Asked by: Deidre Brock (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh North and Leith)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what support the Government offers to UK-based companies involved in investor-state disputes with other nations.
Answered by Mark Garnier
The Government does not provide legal advice to UK investors involved in investor-state disputes. Ministers or officials may raise them with the relevant authorities, but the decision on whether or not do so is made on a case by case basis.
Her Majesty’s Government posts overseas offer investment and political information to UK businesses; provide assistance where necessary to resolve problems such as customs or port clearance or those arising from any local practices that are potentially discriminatory against British business; and information to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations.