Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions the UK representative at the World Trade Organisation has had on future arrangements which may be necessary when the UK leaves the EU; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Greg Hands
The UK Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) engages with a range of partners on trade issues, including the WTO Secretariat and other WTO members. In leaving the EU our goal will be to minimise disruption to our trading relationships with other WTO members.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether public bodies are covered by the advice on the UK Trade and Investment website not to trade with illegal settlements in the West Bank.
Answered by Mark Garnier - Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Work and Pensions)
The advice provided on the Department for International Trade’s website applies to businesses and does not cover public bodies. The Government's position is clear that it is up to individual businesses whether they undertake business dealings with companies involved in the illegal settlements. The Government neither supports nor encourages such dealings, and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office has provided advice to businesses online on the risks of so doing and advises that they seek their own legal advice. Public Bodies are subject to the Government Procurement Policy issued by the Cabinet Office and Crown Commercial Service.