Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their (1) trade envoys, and (2) special representatives for Trade and Investment, are required to declare any (a) gifts they receive, and (b) conflicts of interest they may have, in the course of their duties; whether they will publish a list of all such gifts and conflicts of interest for the last 10 years; and what sanctions apply to any envoys or special representatives who fail to make the appropriate declarations.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
Trade Envoys and Special Representatives appointed by the Department are required to declare gifts and hospitality that they receive in their roles. Trade Envoys and Special Representatives are also required to declare any interests (perceived or actual). The Department for International Trade (DIT) considers if any mitigations are needed on a case-by-case basis. We have no plans to publish a list of all such gifts and conflicts of interest for the last 10 years. It is the responsibility of the Trade Envoy to inform the Department of any change in their circumstances, and the Government can terminate any appointment where appropriate declarations have not been made.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) Her Majesty The Queen, (2) His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, or (3) their representatives, relating to their Consent to the Trade Bill; what changes were made to the Bill as a result of any such discussions; and for what purpose were such changes made.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
Queen’s Consent is required for provisions affecting the Royal Prerogative, as well as the hereditary revenues, the Duchy of Lancaster or the Duchy of Cornwall, and the personal property or personal interests of the Crown.
Foreign affairs including trade have historically been carried out through the Royal Prerogative. Queen’s Consent was sought for the provisions of the Trade Bill insofar as they affected the Royal Prerogative.
No changes were made to the Bill as a result of the process of obtaining Queen’s consent.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the suspension in arms sales to Saudi Arabia for offensive use in Yemen by the government of the United States; and what plans they have to implement a similar suspension in arms sales.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
The US announced it would end support to Saudi-led offensive operations in Yemen, including relevant defence exports. This is entirely a matter for the US Government.
Our position on arms exports to Saudi Arabia – as with all countries – is that such exports require an export licence and that all export licence applications are carefully assessed against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (the “Consolidated Criteria”) on a case-by-case basis. A licence would not be granted if to do so would be inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria.