Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of recent trends in human rights abuses by Zimbabwean security forces; and what steps her Department plans to take in respect of trade in response to those reports.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
The UK remains concerned by the human rights situation in Zimbabwe, including a lack of accountability for violations.
The Overseas Business Risk guidance for Zimbabwe is currently under review.
All export licence applications are rigorously reviewed. We will not license the export of equipment where there is a clear risk that it might be used to commit or facilitate internal repression.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what support she is providing to stakeholders to increase UK exports of clean maritime technologies.
Answered by Mike Freer
I refer the Hon. Member for Portsmouth South to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Newport West on 27 Oct 2021, UIN: 59048.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the answer of 18 November to Question 91998 on Fossil Fuels: Export Credit Guarantees, whether UK Export Finance is considering support for these projects following the Prime Minister's announcement of 12 December that the UK will end support for fossil fuel sector overseas.
Answered by Graham Stuart
On 12 December 2020, the Prime Minister announced that the British government will no longer provide any new direct financial or promotional support for the fossil fuel energy sector overseas. This policy will be implemented as soon as possible following the conclusion of the consultation process that was also launched on 12 December.
During the consultation period and ahead of the implementation of the new policy, the government will continue to apply current policy for all in-scope activities including proposals for high carbon projects, with consideration of relevant factors including climate change.
With regard to the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline, I refer the hon. Member for Portsmouth South to the responses I gave to the Hon. Member for Edmonton on 2 December 2020, UIN:120945, and 8 December 2020, UIN:122815. UK Export Finance (UKEF) has been approached on the project referred to, and no decision has been made. It is not UKEF policy to comment on potential transactions for reasons of commercial sensitivity.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether UK Export Finance is considering providing financial support to the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline.
Answered by Graham Stuart
On 12 December 2020, the Prime Minister announced that the British government will no longer provide any new direct financial or promotional support for the fossil fuel energy sector overseas. This policy will be implemented as soon as possible following the conclusion of the consultation process that was also launched on 12 December.
During the consultation period and ahead of the implementation of the new policy, the government will continue to apply current policy for all in-scope activities including proposals for high carbon projects, with consideration of relevant factors including climate change.
With regard to the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline, I refer the hon. Member for Portsmouth South to the responses I gave to the Hon. Member for Edmonton on 2 December 2020, UIN:120945, and 8 December 2020, UIN:122815. UK Export Finance (UKEF) has been approached on the project referred to, and no decision has been made. It is not UKEF policy to comment on potential transactions for reasons of commercial sensitivity.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure that the introduction of a new regime for a UK Global Tariff and the Most Favoured Nation schemes does not impose additional (a) costs and (b) administrative burdens on importers of (i) catheters and (ii) other incontinence products; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Conor Burns
The UK Global Tariff (UKGT) will enter into force at the end of the transition period. For the first time in almost fifty years, the UK will be able to set its own tariff rates on imported goods. This is an opportunity to create a tariff tailored to our economy, benefiting our consumers and supportive of our industry. To inform the development of this bespoke tariff regime, the Government has launched a public consultation. Once the consultation closes, the Government will carefully consider all available evidence, including consultation responses, and an announcement on the UKGT will follow in due course.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions she had with her counterpart in the Bangladeshi Government on increasing trade between the UK and Bangladesh.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The department recognises and promotes the opportunities that Bangladesh presents to UK exporters.
My noble Friend Lord Ahmad, Minister of State for the Commonwealth, UN and South Asia, spoke most recently at the reception to mark the launch of the first international Bangladesh Taka-denominated “Bangla” bonds on the London Stock Exchange, highlighting opportunities and benefits of furthering mutual work on UK-Bangladesh trade promotion.
Significant discussions on trade promotion are also held at the annual UK-Bangladesh Strategic Dialogue, most recently led by the Bangladesh Foreign Secretary MD Shahidul Haque and the Permanent Under-Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Sir Simon McDonald.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans he has for the inclusion of Investor-state dispute settlement clauses in trade agreements with (a) the US and (b) other countries after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Hollingbery
We are currently reviewing our trade and investment policy and are considering a wide range of options in the design of future bilateral trade and investment agreements. We have completed four online public consultations on potential future trade agreement negotiations with the USA, Australia, New Zealand and on the UK Government potentially seeking accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). We are now considering the responses.
The UK has over 90 existing bilateral investment agreements in place with other countries, many of which have been in force for several decades. The right to regulate is recognised under international law and bilateral investment treaties and agreements do not seek to undermine this. There has never been a successful investor-state dispute settlement claim brought against the UK. The threat of potential claims against the UK has not affected the Government’s legislative programme or prevented the Government from regulating in the pursuit of legitimate public policy objectives, including health, environment and human rights.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that future trade agreements do not include Investor-state dispute settlement clauses that could undermine (a) the provision of health services, (b) environmental policy and (c) workers' rights after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Hollingbery
We are currently reviewing our trade and investment policy and are considering a wide range of options in the design of future bilateral trade and investment agreements. We have completed four online public consultations on potential future trade agreement negotiations with the USA, Australia, New Zealand and on the UK Government potentially seeking accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). We are now considering the responses.
The UK has over 90 existing bilateral investment agreements in place with other countries, many of which have been in force for several decades. The right to regulate is recognised under international law and bilateral investment treaties and agreements do not seek to undermine this. There has never been a successful investor-state dispute settlement claim brought against the UK. The threat of potential claims against the UK has not affected the Government’s legislative programme or prevented the Government from regulating in the pursuit of legitimate public policy objectives, including health, environment and human rights.