Asked by: Julian Sturdy (Conservative - York Outer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment her Department has made of representations from civil society groups and the general public on concerns about the inclusion of an ISDS clause in the proposed UK-Australia trade agreement; and what steps her Department is taking to review the proposed ISDS clause in light of such representations.
Answered by Greg Hands
The UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement Investment chapter will not include Investor-State Dispute Settlement. Throughout the negotiation process, the UK Government has engaged and consulted widely with a range of stakeholders on a variety of issues pertaining to this negotiation.
Further details on the agreement in principle can be found on gov.uk.
Asked by: Julian Sturdy (Conservative - York Outer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what representations he has received from (a) members of the public and (b) civil society organisations on concerns over mechanisms for government accountability on trade policy and the negotiation of future trade agreements.
Answered by Greg Hands
The Department engages regularly with stakeholders across the business community, civil society, academia and the public as a whole. This is achieved via a number of different engagement mechanisms such as stakeholder briefings and roundtables and the Department are committed to a transparent and inclusive trade policy.
The Department published a Trade White Paper in October 2017 setting out its ambition to build an independent trade policy and inviting views on our developing approach. The Department received 150 responses providing feedback and evidence in answer to specific questions posed in the policy paper and to our general approach to a future UK trade policy. In addition, The Department received a large number of responses (7,429) as part of a Civil Society campaign on transparency and inclusivity. The Department has carefully considered this feedback and in January published our response.
In addition to dialogue between Department for International Trade policy officials and stakeholders, the Department met with a number of White Paper respondents, to discuss their responses in more detail, gaining valuable insight which we will consider when developing our policy.
Asked by: Julian Sturdy (Conservative - York Outer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps his Department is taking to maintain UK market access for poorer countries, in trade agreements after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The UK recognises the need for a smooth transition in our trade arrangements on leaving the EU, including with developing countries. That is why legislation has been introduced that will allow the UK to mirror the preferential access developing countries currently receive to the UK market. We will also seek to replicate the EU's Economic Partnership Agreements with African, Pacific and Caribbean countries.
Asked by: Julian Sturdy (Conservative - York Outer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment his Department makes of the effectiveness of impact assessments on future UK trade agreements with poorer countries on those countries.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The UK is committed to ensuring developing countries can use trade as an engine of poverty reduction, and trade agreements play an important role in this. It is a priority of the Department for International Trade to ensure that developing countries maintain their preferential access to the UK market as we leave the EU.
The Department provides impact assessments to Parliament when EU trade agreements are ratified. As outlined in the White Paper "Preparing for our future trade policy", we are committed to a transparent approach to international trade. We will ensure Parliament has an appropriate role to play in the scrutiny of new UK trade treaties.
Asked by: Julian Sturdy (Conservative - York Outer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps his Department is taking to coordinate its work with the Department for International Development to ensure that UK trade policy supports development in poorer countries.
Answered by Graham Stuart
A joint DFID and DIT team, working in London and across UK embassies and High Commissions, is responsible for ensuring that development and global prosperity priorities are reflected in UK trade and investment policy, and for shaping the UK's future trade arrangements with developing countries.