Asked by: Drew Hendry (Scottish National Party - Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of revoking preferential trading partner status from a) Russia and (b) Belarus.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The UK has announced a range of economic sanctions against Russia and Belarus, including denying both countries access to Most Favoured Nation tariffs for hundreds of their exports. £900 million of imported goods from Russia and Belarus will now face an additional 35 percent tariff.
We will continue to explore the full range of economic, diplomatic, and political options in co-operation with partners.
Asked by: Drew Hendry (Scottish National Party - Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions she has had with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on taking steps to potentially exclude Russia from the WTO until they withdraw fully from Ukraine.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
At the WTO, the Government has condemned the actions of the Russian Federation and shown solidarity with the Government and people of Ukraine. We are working closely with like-minded partners to take steps to marginalise Russia and to deprive the Russian government of the benefits of WTO membership.
We are aware that discussions are taking place about the possible mechanisms to expel Russia from the WTO. We will continue to explore with allies the full range of economic, diplomatic, and political options.
Asked by: Drew Hendry (Scottish National Party - Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of making representations at the World Trade Organisation for a vote on the suspension of Belarus from that organisation in respect of its continuing material support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Belarus is not a member of the World Trade Organization. Accession talks were suspended following the rigged election and fraudulent inauguration of Alexander Lukashenko in 2020. Belarussian complicity in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is incompatible with the respect for the rules-based order that is a precondition for WTO membership. This issue has been discussed with partners within the WTO.
Asked by: Drew Hendry (Scottish National Party - Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what advice Tony Abbott provided to her Department on the removal of climate change-related clauses that had formed part of the proposed UK-Australia free trade deal.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Tony Abbott does not negotiate trade deals on behalf of the UK. He is a voluntary, unpaid advisor to the Board of Trade. Advisers to the Board of Trade have been appointed because of their expertise in trade and economic matters and to help inform our future thinking on international trade. Our ambitious trade deal with Australia will include a substantive article which reaffirms both parties’ commitments to address climate change. Both Australia and the UK make clear their commitment to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement and achieving all of its goals, which includes the temperature goals.
Asked by: Drew Hendry (Scottish National Party - Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what (a) advice or (b) role has Tony Abbott played in the UK's discussions with Australia on a possible free trade deal.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Tony Abbott does not negotiate trade deals on behalf of the UK. He is a voluntary, unpaid advisor to the Board of Trade. Advisers to the Board of Trade have been appointed because of their expertise in trade and economic matters and to help inform our future thinking on international trade. Our ambitious trade deal with Australia will include a substantive article which reaffirms both parties’ commitments to address climate change. Both Australia and the UK make clear their commitment to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement and achieving all of its goals, which includes the temperature goals.
Asked by: Drew Hendry (Scottish National Party - Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent progress has been made towards the establishment of the Trade and Agriculture Commission.
Answered by Graham Stuart
I refer the Member to the answer given to the Right Honourable Member for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich on 10 September, UIN 40833.
Asked by: Drew Hendry (Scottish National Party - Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions officials in her Department have had with their European counterparts on helping to reduce the time taken for the movement of timber products from the EU into the UK.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
The Forestry Commission is responsible for helping British importers and their agents prepare for the customs entry procedures for timber products.
HM Government is supporting businesses adjusting to new trading arrangements, including the guidance published by the Forestry Commission on GOV.UK on importing timber products.
Asked by: Drew Hendry (Scottish National Party - Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether (a) legal costs and (b) compensatory payments resulting from investor-state dispute settlement claims relating to acts by the Scottish Government would be passed on to the Scottish Government; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
The United Kingdom has never been successfully taken to tribunal under her over 90 bilateral investment treaties, nor as a party to the Energy Charter Treaty. HM Government has a strong record of creating an open environment for both domestic and foreign investors, and treating them fairly. We will continue to do so.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the HM Government and devolved administrations across the country continues to apply. The Memorandum sets out that a devolved administration would only be responsible for the payment of legal costs or awards made by the tribunal to the extent that they arise from its failure to implement or enforce an obligation.
Asked by: Drew Hendry (Scottish National Party - Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps her Department is taking to support UK maritime trade links.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Department for International Trade’s (DIT) five-year plan for the United Kingdom’s maritime sector, developed in partnership with industry, promotes our world-class global maritime offer and focuses on UK strengths in many of the key technologies that will drive the future of maritime – such as digital shipping, smart ports and autonomous vessel technologies.
Asked by: Drew Hendry (Scottish National Party - Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans his Department has to ensure that the UK's trade arrangements with the EU after the UK has left the EU do not adversely affect the world's poorest people.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department for International Trade is working closely with the Department for International Development to ensure that development and global prosperity are at the heart of UK trade and investment policy. We recognise the need for a smooth transition which minimises disruption to our trading relationships.