Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, by what criteria the Prime Minister’s trade envoys are appointed.

Decisions on the appointment of Trade Envoys are made by the Prime Minister. Trade Envoys are parliamentarians drawn from across the political spectrum and both Houses. Trade Envoys are appointed to engage with one or more emerging markets where the Department for International Trade (DIT) has identified substantial trade and investment opportunities and where there is a need for high level engagement to drive these forward.

Since the programme was launched in 2012 the cumulative cost has been £676,691. This is a non-paid voluntary role and these costs relate to travel and subsistence for the role.

Prime Minister’s Trade Envoys are asked to report back to my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade after each visit they undertake in the role. DIT teams based in the Trade Envoy markets, also collate any business successes the Trade Envoys have been involved with, which is reported back on a quarterly basis. In 16/17 Trade Envoys contributed towards £15.5bn in export wins in their markets.