Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how consumers can recognise before purchase products from the illegal Palestinian settlements; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
The United Kingdom does not recognise the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including settlements, as part of Israel. Certain products, such as food, originating from settlements must be labelled as such. Our retained EU legislation is clear that information on origin and provenance of goods must not be misleading and should be provided if failure to do so would itself be misleading to consumers.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 29 June 2020 to Question 63203 on clothing: Bangladesh, what further discussions she has had since 21 May 2020 with UK retailers on payments to garment manufacturers in Bangladesh for products supplied during the covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
My Department continues to work across HM Government and with British retailers on this important issue. We have been encouraging companies to honour existing orders, prioritising the labour portion of cost of goods to help protect workers’ incomes. We work with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and British garment retailers to combat payment issues through a regular working group too. Moreover, FCDO has recently launched the Vulnerable Supply Chains Facility, which will enable vulnerable garment workers in Bangladesh to recover from – and remain resilient to – the economic and social impacts of COVID-19.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what representations she has made to UK retailers who have not paid garment manufacturers in Bangladesh for products supplied during the covid-19 pandemic.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
My Department is working across HM Government and with British retailers on this important issue.
There was a joint Ministerial meeting with the British Retail Consortium and its members on 21st May on the garment supply chains of British companies. Some of the topics for discussion included providing advice to businesses operating in Britain on how they can (a) support workers impacted by COVID-19; (b) support their supply chains in developing countries; and (c) meet their own duties to uphold rights and responsibilities overseas.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, when he plans to publish the UK's (a) tariff schedules and (b) tariff-rate quotas as part of Government preparations for leaving the EU without a deal.
Answered by George Hollingbery
Our tariff schedule for a no deal scenario is being finalised. Ministers have examined a range of options for our future tariff regime and carefully considered the evidence available in the interests of UK businesses and consumers. Once a final decision has been taken we will communicate to stakeholders in an appropriate way for a market sensitive announcement.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment his Department has made of which non-EU markets have the greatest potential for increasing UK financial services exports after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Graham Stuart
We are determined to help UK business from every sector make the most of opportunities around the world. To support the financial services industry, the Department for International Trade (DIT) is running in-depth export promotion campaigns in markets where we have identified the best immediate prospects. The countries for those campaigns were selected based on economic analysis, intelligence from British Embassies and feedback from industry experts.
As well as addressing the opportunities available now, we are also designing a fully-independent UK trade policy. This will unlock further opportunities in markets where UK firms are currently still facing barriers to access. DIT and HM Treasury are currently working with businesses to identify the most important priorities for the sector.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what information he holds on international borders with no customs union and no border infrastructure; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We have considered a range of options for implementing new border arrangements and have looked to examples from around the world.
However, the circumstances that apply to different international borders are unique and so the UK won't be seeking to copy models used by other countries, but rather seek approaches that reflect the unique and special relationship the UK has with the EU.
The precise form taken will depend on the outcome of negotiations.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many companies in (a) Greater London and (b) the London Borough of Newham exported goods or services to (i) other EU countries and (ii) non-EU countries in each year since 2010.
Answered by Mark Garnier
The number of businesses in Greater London exporting goods to EU and non-EU countries since 2010 is available in HMRC Regional Trade Statistics.
EU and non–EU data for 2013-16 are not comparable with data for 2010-2012 due to differences in methodology.
Similar data for the London Borough of Newham are not available.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 20 February to Question 63568, if he will take steps to include a clause on compliance with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in future bilateral trade and investment agreements; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Existing EU trade agreements refer to commitment to the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a whole.
I refer the hon Member for East Ham to the answer I gave him on 20 February 2017, UIN 63568.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what account he plans to take of other countries' observance of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights when planning new trade deals after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK has a strong history of protecting human rights and promoting our values globally. We will consider all options in the design of future bilateral trade and investment agreements. We will of course continue to encourage all states to uphold international human rights obligations and work with those determined to reform.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether he plans to maintain the same trading relationship with Bangladesh after the UK leaves the EU as that which was established by the EU; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK believes in a free and open approach to trade.
The Government aims to preserve and where possible enhance its trading relationship with developing countries, such as Bangladesh. Ministers and officials are also engaging with counterparts in a range of markets to promote the UK as one of the strongest places to do business, and with which to trade.
We remain committed to ensuring developing countries can reduce poverty through trading opportunities, and recognise the need for a smooth transition which minimises disruption.