Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether their assessment of the Investor-State Dispute Settlement in the Colombia-UK Bilateral Investment Agreement has changed in the light of the legal challenge from investors in the Whitehaven Mine in Cumbria, and if so, how.
Answered by Lord Leong - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The UK-Colombia Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) includes binding investment protection provisions which protect both UK and Colombian investors against unfair and discriminatory treatment, and expropriation without adequate compensation.
The Government maintains that it has acted consistently with domestic and international law obligations in the case of the legal challenge. In view of the ongoing proceedings, it would be inappropriate for the Government to comment further at this stage.
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure consultation of civil society stakeholders who may be affected by proposed mining operations in the review of the UK Critical Minerals Strategy.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
The Department for Business and Trade will publish a Critical Minerals Strategy this year that will refine our approach to promoting responsible and transparent practices in critical mineral supply chains, both across the UK and globally. We are engaging a range of stakeholders to gather expertise and insights to shape our approach, including civil society, standards-setting organisations and other key environmental, social and governance (ESG) stakeholders to inform our approach to the strategy.
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in negotiations towards a Free Trade Agreement between the UK and Mexico.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Lainston
Negotiations between the UK and Mexico have been positive so far, with a clear mutual intention to pursue a Free Trade Agreement which can complement and build on our new trade arrangements as members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. We have held three rounds of negotiations, with the latest taking place in May.
We look forward to concluding negotiations at the earliest opportunity. However, we want to make sure any new trade deal adds value to the UK economy and meets our trade policy objectives. We are prepared to take the time necessary to deliver that.