Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many members of staff have left UK Export Finance since 1 January 2015; and how many of those members of staff were nationals of non-UK EU countries.
Answered by Greg Hands
In the period July 2016 to November 2017, a total of 195 UK based employees have left the Department for International Trade (DIT).
Since January 2015, there have been 144 leavers from UK Export Finance (UKEF).
The reasons for members of staff leaving include, amongst others, retiring, transferring departments, resignation and end of contract.
Neither DIT nor UKEF holds data on the nationalities of these staff.
Evidence of nationality is checked at the point of recruitment into the Civil Service as part of wider pre-employment checks, but there is no requirement on departments to retain this information beyond the point at which it has served its purpose.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many members of staff have left his Department since it was created; and how many of those members of staff were nationals of non-UK EU countries.
Answered by Greg Hands
In the period July 2016 to November 2017, a total of 195 UK based employees have left the Department for International Trade (DIT).
Since January 2015, there have been 144 leavers from UK Export Finance (UKEF).
The reasons for members of staff leaving include, amongst others, retiring, transferring departments, resignation and end of contract.
Neither DIT nor UKEF holds data on the nationalities of these staff.
Evidence of nationality is checked at the point of recruitment into the Civil Service as part of wider pre-employment checks, but there is no requirement on departments to retain this information beyond the point at which it has served its purpose.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if he will take steps for the UK to have third-party membership of existing EU Free Trade Agreements to comply with rules of origin requirements.
Answered by Greg Hands
We are currently working with existing EU trading partners, including South Africa, to ensure that where preferential trading agreements are in place, arrangements are made that will allow maximum possible continuity in the effect of these agreements, when the UK leaves the EU. This is a technical exercise to ensure continuity in existing trading arrangements.
In this regard, we are engaging with trading partners to understand mutually beneficial options for ensuring the greatest continuity. Rules of Origin, as a key element of trade agreements, form an important part of this ongoing engagement.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions he is having with (a) South Africa and (b) other countries that have an existing Free Trade Agreement with the EU on rules of origin or originating content issues arising from the UK's exit from the EU.
Answered by Greg Hands
We are currently working with existing EU trading partners, including South Africa, to ensure that where preferential trading agreements are in place, arrangements are made that will allow maximum possible continuity in the effect of these agreements, when the UK leaves the EU. This is a technical exercise to ensure continuity in existing trading arrangements.
In this regard, we are engaging with trading partners to understand mutually beneficial options for ensuring the greatest continuity. Rules of Origin, as a key element of trade agreements, form an important part of this ongoing engagement.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what restrictions exist on the import to the UK of goods from Zimbabwe.
Answered by Greg Hands
Imports from Zimbabwe must comply with all relevant licensing and declaration requirements. As a member of the interim Eastern and Southern Africa Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU, the import of goods from Zimbabwe currently benefit from duty-free access to the UK.