Strategic Trade Advisory Group

(asked on 23rd January 2019) - View Source

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to his Department's guidance entitled Call for expressions of interest in membership of the Strategic Trade Advisory Group, published on 16 July 2018, who will determine that members are no longer able to contribute effectively to the groups' deliberations prior to a member of the Strategic Trade Advisory Group having their membership revoked; and whether information on that decision will be made publicly available.


Answered by
George Hollingbery Portrait
George Hollingbery
This question was answered on 1st February 2019

The process for appointing members to the STAG is almost complete and we expect to issue letters to successful candidates shortly.

The Group will advise the Secretary of State for International Trade but will not set Government policy. This will not be a decision-making body and therefore we do not expect votes to take place.

Members will be appointed to the Group for a defined period and will be expected to comply with the standards of behaviour set out in the Terms of Reference to be agreed by the Group at the first meeting. In conjunction with the Chairs of the Group, officials will provide recommendations to the Secretary of State on any changes to the Group’s membership. This will include looking at whether the Group is sufficiently representative. Any changes proposed will be made with reference to the criteria set out in the guidance published as part of the call for expressions of interest. Changes to membership will be published online.

To facilitate an open and constructive discussion, members will be expected to conform to the highest standards of confidentiality and will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Members will also be asked to act in the interests of the UK and not as a representative of their organisation.

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