Written Statements

Friday 29th March 2019 Written Statements

Friday 29 March 2019

Joint European Torus: Fusion Contract

Friday 29th March 2019 Written Statements

[The Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation (Chris Skidmore)]

Having made my first speech at Culham, I know how hard-working and dedicated UKAEA staff are, which is why I am pleased to announce that on 27 March 2019 the European Commission and the UK signed a new contract extension for the Joint European Torus (JET) facility in Culham, Oxfordshire. JET is the world’s biggest operational fusion reactor, undertaking research in technology aimed at providing clean, safe, inexhaustible energy. JET is operated by the UK Atomic Energy Authority and is funded primarily (87.5%) by the European Union; this contract extension will secure at least €100 million in additional inward investment from the EU over the next two years. Crucially, the contract extension will last until the end of 2020 regardless of wider EU exit negotiations, safeguarding this world-leading facility and over 500 high-skilled science and engineering jobs at Culham.

The UK Government previously (27 June 2017) agreed to guarantee the UK’s fair share of JET funding to the end of 2020 should this contract extension be agreed. This latest outcome is the natural culmination of that open and collaborative approach and underlines the strong and enduring partnership between the EU and the UK in science and research.

[HCWS1467]

EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement

Friday 29th March 2019 Written Statements

[The Minister for Trade Policy (George Hollingbery)]

I am pleased to announce that my Department will today publish an impact assessment for the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement (FTA). I have separately written to the EU Scrutiny Committees in both Houses of Parliament such that they can consider this evidence as part of their important scrutiny of this agreement.

A copy of this impact assessment will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

The European Union and Vietnam agreed on final texts for an EU-Vietnam free trade agreement and an EU-Vietnam investment protection agreement in July 2018. Proposals for council decisions on signature and conclusion of the agreements were published on 19 October 2018, therefore kick starting the process of parliamentary scrutiny.

The Government remain committed to transparency in trade matters both under current EU parliamentary scrutiny processes and under future UK bilaterally negotiated agreements.

[HCWS1468]