Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to the joint statement from the European Chemical Industry Council and the Chemical Industries Association published on 15 November 2017, what assessment he has made of the effect on the chemicals industry when the UK leaves the EU; and if he will make a statement.

As part of our work preparing to make a success of our departure from the European Union we are undertaking a broad range of sectoral analysis covering the entirety of the UK economy, including the chemicals industry.

The Government is committed to the best possible deal for the United Kingdom - a deal that works for the entirety of the UK economy. We have been engaging with businesses and industry bodies from all sectors of the economy in order to inform our negotiations with the EU. On 17th November 2016 government officials attended the Chemical Industries Association Conference and on 6th November 2017 I met with CIA representatives to further understand the opportunities and challenges for the chemicals sector as a result of the UK’s exit from the EU. The UK chemicals sector is a strategically important industry for our country. In the UK, we are global leaders, and we are determined that we continue to be world-leading in this space.