Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will take steps to promote protectionism to reduce the UK's dependence on international trade for supplies of (a) medicines and (b) food.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
As set out in my previous answer to my Hon. Friend for South Holland and The Deepings on 21st May, UIN:46540, free trade has a vital role in addressing the immediate impact – and resolving the longer-term effects – of this pandemic. It is imperative that we keep our markets open to maintain the flow of essential goods and services, including medical products. Free trade is the best way to both back Britain’s businesses and make sure we have the supplies we need.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of the relationship between (a) free trade, (b) porous borders and (c) the spread of highly contagious pandemics.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
Free trade has a vital role in addressing the immediate impact – and resolving the longer term effects – of this pandemic. This Department is working with our international partners to co-ordinate international strategy that will help protect and manage global supply of essential goods and services, including medical products.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans he has to increase trade with (a) Commonwealth realms and (b) other countries of the Commonwealth after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Hollingbery
At last year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, hosted by the UK, leaders adopted a six-point Connectivity Agenda for Trade and Investment to boost intra-Commonwealth trade to $2 Trillion by 2030. As Chair-In-Office, the UK is committed to working with our Commonwealth partners to achieve this target.
The Government is seeking continuity for existing EU trade arrangements, including those with Commonwealth countries, to ensure there is no disruption to our existing trade as we leave the EU.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent steps his Department has taken to ensure the UK is able to make trade agreements after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Hollingbery
Delivering the deal negotiated with the EU remains the Government’s top priority. The political declaration recognises the development of an independent UK trade policy beyond the economic partnership with the EU. Under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK will be free to negotiate, sign and ratify new trade agreements during the time-limited implementation period, and to bring them into force from January 2021.
We have consulted on our first four free trade agreements (FTAs), with the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). We plan to publish the Government’s response to these consultations before entering into any formal negotiations.
In addition, we are building stronger relationships with large economies – such as China, India, and Brazil – through a series of Joint Trade Reviews (JTRs).
While we are looking to forge new agreements, the Government is also seeking continuity for our existing EU trade agreements as we leave the European Union. We have made good progress, signing trade continuity agreements with Switzerland, Chile, the Eastern and Southern African (ESA) states, the Faroe Islands, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if he will list the countries to which the UK has authorised arms sales in the last five years.
Answered by George Hollingbery
All export licences are issued in strict accordance with the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria.
The Government publishes Official Statistics (on a quarterly and annual basis) about export licences granted and refused for military exports on GOV.UK. These reports contain detailed information on export licences issued, refused or revoked, by destination, including the overall value, type (e.g. Military, Other) and a summary of the items covered by these licences. These can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data.
The data currently provides details of licences up to 30 June 2018. Information about the period 1 July to 30 September 2018 will be published shortly.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many times (a) he and (b) Ministers of his Department have met with Lebanese officials to discuss trade with that country after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for International Trade has engaged with officials from the Lebanese Embassy in London to discuss trade, and to reassure them that the UK remains open for business after we leave the European Union.
My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade has held a successful meeting with the Lebanese Ambassador HE Rami Mortada. My noble Friend the Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion (Baroness Fairhead) and former Minister of State for Trade Policy, my Rt hon Friend for Chelsea and Fulham (Greg Hands), have also engaged with Lebanese officials to discuss our future trading relationship.