Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to his article in The Times of 9 January 2018, whether representatives of any (a) NGOs, (b) trades unions, (c) consumers’ rights organisations or (b) environmental organisations will be invited to join the Trade Policy Strategic Advisory Group; and who is responsible under which criteria for deciding that group’s membership.

The Trade Policy Strategic Advisory Group is only one part of the Department for International Trade’s stakeholder engagement activities.

The Trade Policy Strategic Advisory Group will ensure that a range of voices are contributing to developing our trade policy. We will seek to include representation of individuals capable of taking views from across business communities, civil society, consumer groups and academia from across the UK. Further details on the criteria and membership will be decided on in due course.