Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what formal consultation his Department had with the Welsh Government during the consultation period on (a) trade negotiations with (i) the US, (ii) Australia, and (iii) New Zealand and (b) potential accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The consultation exercise on the proposed Free Trade Agreements with the US, Australia, New Zealand and potential accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, was one of the largest ever undertaken by the UK Government.

As part of this extensive programme, the Welsh Government, along with the other devolved administrations (DAs), was invited to formally respond to the consultation. The response that the Welsh Government submitted was explored in detail between the Department for International Trade (DIT) and Welsh Government officials in December and discussions were held on the response during a quadrilateral that I held with DA ministers in January.

Prior to publication of the summary of responses to DIT’s consultations last week, the DAs received an advance copy.

Alongside these specific discussions, there is extensive ongoing engagement that DIT has with the Welsh Government on trade policy. I have regular contact with my counterpart, the Noble Lady Baroness Morgan of Ely and this is supported by 6-weekly Senior Officials Group and regular technical policy roundtables.