Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the Local to Global podcast (a) since its launch and (b) in the next (i) six, (ii) 12, (iii) 18 and (iv) 24 months.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Local to Global podcast is an Exporting is GREAT campaign initiative.
The total production and promotion cost of the Local to Global podcast series is approximately £107,000. No further spend on this podcast series is currently planned.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many and which (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have visited the Irish border in the last 12 months; when those visits took place; and how long they spent at the border in each of those visits.
Answered by George Hollingbery
Ministers have travelled to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Details of Ministers’ overseas travel are published quarterly and are available on GOV.UK.
Details of business expenses incurred by senior officials include domestic and international travel. This information is also published quarterly and is available on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether his Department has (a) held discussions with and (b) received representations from (i) Peking University HSBC Business School or (ii) authorities in China on proposals to open a campus at Foxcombe Hall in Oxfordshire.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Department for International Trade has not held discussions with or received representations from Peking University HSBC Business School or authorities in China on proposals to open a campus at Foxcombe Hall in Oxfordshire.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what the annual salary is of the Director General for Exports.
Answered by Greg Hands
The Director General, Exports vacancy was advertised at Senior Civil Servant Pay Band 3, and the salary will be in line with that advertised, of up to £140,000. Once in post their annual salary details will be published in due course on gov.uk as part of the department's transparency return. The transparency return will next be published in May 2018.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he is taking to reduce imports of fur to the UK; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Greg Hands
Existing EU regulations mean that some skin and fur products may never be legally imported into the UK for commercial use. These include cat and dog fur and products as well as seal skins and products from commercial hunts. Regulations banning the import of these furs will remain in force after the UK has left the EU, as these will be converted into UK domestic law through the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill.
It is important that the UK work effectively at international levels to agree animal welfare standards and phase out cruel and inhumane farming and hunting practices. It is the Government’s view that an international rules-based approach will lead to a higher level of animal welfare worldwide.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure (a) Parliamentary and (b) public scrutiny of future British-American trade talks.
Answered by Greg Hands
The Government will ensure Parliament has an appropriate role to play in the scrutiny of new UK trade treaties, including any future deal with the US, as it always has.
As outlined in the White Paper, Preparing for our future UK trade policy, the Government remains committed to a transparent, fair, and rules-based approach to international trade. We invited views on the UK’s approach to its future trade policy, including future trade agreements, and have published our response to feedback received. We will continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders from across the UK to help shape our emerging trade policy.