Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the Government’s preparations to carry out full checks on controlled goods entering the UK at EU-facing ports from July 2021 where infrastructure to implement those controls does not currently exist.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) already tackle smuggling and they will continue to do so through intelligence-led targeting. My Department continues working closely with HMRC to make sure that the United Kingdom’s trade policy will be effectively operationalised at the border after the transition period ends.
Border controls on controlled goods will continue regardless of whether imports come from the European Union or Rest of the World countries. To ensure compliance with new customs procedures and controls at the border after transition period ends, my Rt Hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster recently announced a new infrastructure funding package that includes £470m to build the necessary infrastructure required.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on the Government’s (a) operation delivery plans, (b) timeframes and (c) risks in relation to the delivery of tariff declaration systems on non-EU imports from 1 January 2021.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
I cannot disclose the specifics of discussions between my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and my Rt Hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster.
However, I can assure the Hon. Gentleman that the Department for International Trade is working closely with officials in both the Border and Protocol Delivery Group and HM Revenue and Customs to implement all border delivery plans and timelines, including in relation to the delivery of tariff declaration systems, in the lead up to the end of the transition period.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking to mitigate the risk of a legal challenge at the WTO as a result of the (a) UK’s new border regime and (b) implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Answered by Greg Hands
The Government complies with its international obligations. The Department for International Trade continues to work with relevant government departments on the UK’s WTO compliance, as a result of the UK’s new border regime and the Northern Ireland Protocol. The Government will discharge its responsibilities in a way that is effective; which upholds our international obligations; and which respects the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what estimate she has made of the potential cost to her Department of a defensive trade dispute brought against the UK at the WTO as a result of the UK's new border regime and implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Answered by Greg Hands
The litigation costs associated with defensive trade disputes vary significantly depending on the nature and complexity of the individual dispute. This department has established the processes and procedures necessary to ensure that the UK will effectively represent itself independently in trade disputes from the end of the Transition Period. The Department for International Trade will continue to work with all Government departments to prepare for any potential defensive trade disputes, including ensuring appropriate provision is made to meet the costs.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what meetings Crawford Falconer, Chief Trade Negotiation Adviser and Second Permanent Secretary for the Department for International Trade has had with Shanker Singham since his appointment to the Department.
Answered by Graham Stuart
I refer the Hon. Member for Sheffield Central to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Hemsworth on 31 May 2017, UIN 146742 & 146743.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what meetings (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department, (c) advisers in his Department and (d) officials in his Department have held with representatives of the Legatum Institute since July 2016; and what the topics for discussion were at those meetings.
Answered by Greg Hands
I refer the Hon. Member for Sheffield Central to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Birmingham, Hall Green on 26 April 2018, UIN: 137004 and the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne North on 3 May 2018, UIN: 139483.
Details of the meetings held by the Department for International Trade (DIT) Ministers are published on the Gov.uk website and can be found here: