To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.


Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Trade Agreements: Religious Freedom
Tuesday 20th July 2021

Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of making protection of freedom of religion or belief one of the criteria which must be met for the UK to enter into a trade deal; and whether they have plans to introduce such a measure.

Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel

HM Government is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all. HM Government regularly reports on violations of these freedoms, including in an annual report published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

We are clear that more trade does not have to come at the expense of rights and responsibilities. We will continue to take a balanced approach with our partners, delivering the best outcome for the United Kingdom, maximising the benefits of trade and upholding our values.


Written Question
Trade Agreements: Japan
Tuesday 6th October 2020

Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, not to follow the provisions of the UK–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, agreed on 11 September.

Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel

We have no plans not to follow the provisions of the UK–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, agreed on 11 September. After the agreement is signed, we will lay the full text in parliament. We will also publish a parliamentary report, setting out in detail any areas where there are material differences between the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).


Written Question
Trade Agreements: Sustainable Development
Tuesday 22nd September 2020

Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to exclude products which are not sustainably produced from future trade deals; and if not, why not.

Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel

While the detail of free trade agreements (FTAs) are reserved for formal negotiations, the United Kingdom has publicly committed to negotiating agreements that protect and maintain our high standards on labour and environment. HM Government has been consistently clear in our published outline approaches to FTAs with the US, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia that we will seek strong provisions on sustainability. We will continue to work closely with international partners and business to ensure that future trade is sustainable and upholds the United Kingdom’s high standards.


Written Question
Trade Agreements: Japan
Tuesday 22nd September 2020

Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how the draft trade agreement with Japan differs from that which the European Union already has in place with Japan.

Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel

The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement locks in the benefits of the EU-Japan deal, and goes even further in a number of areas, including;

  • Cutting-edge digital & data provisions,

  • Improved market access for UK financial services,

  • More generous rules of origin provisions for some goods, and

  • Opening the door for more British products to be protected in Japan by geographical indications.

We will publish a parliamentary report for the UK-Japan agreement prior to ratification, clearly highlighting areas where there are specific material differences between the EU Economic Partnership Agreement and this deal.


Written Question
Trade Agreements: Mauritius
Tuesday 15th September 2020

Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in negotiating a deal on future trade relations with the government of Mauritius.

Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel

The United Kingdom concluded negotiations and signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) states in January 2019. Mauritius is a member of ESA and one of the signatory states. This agreement will provide preferential trading arrangements for both the United Kingdom and Mauritius once it has entered into force.


Written Question
Trade Agreements: USA
Thursday 23rd July 2020

Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, (1) of the likelihood of other candidates for President of the United State not agreeing to a free-trade agreement with the UK should they win the election in November; and (2) of the cost implications of such a decision; and if they have not made any such assessments, what plans they have to do so before the US presidential election on 3 November.

Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel

The Government regularly assesses all developments that may affect ongoing trade negotiations around the world. We also continue to engage with US partners on a bipartisan basis, at the federal and state level.

As both the UK and US have repeatedly made clear, we are seeking a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which will benefit people and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.

It is not for the UK to comment on the US election and decisions the US may or may not wish to take in advance of the election. We will continue to pursue an ambitious and wide-ranging FTA over the coming months.


Written Question
Music: Coronavirus
Wednesday 24th June 2020

Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to ensure that the UK music sector remains internationally competitive during, and after, the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel

The Department for International Trade consistently champions the British music industry and the incredible talent which makes the sector such a great success story for the UK.

The Government has put in place unprecedented support for businesses and workers to protect them against the economic impact of COVID-19. In 2020/21, the Government is providing export support of around £1 million to UK music companies. Most of this is grant support offered to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the UK’s music sector through the International Showcase Fund and the Music Export Growth Scheme.

During the pandemic, the Government has provided support for digital events so music companies can continue to do business with international customers. The Government is working closely with the Creative Industries Trade and Investment Board, which includes music representatives, to develop a creative industries ‘Bounce Back’ strategy which will enable the UK music sector to maintain its strong international position.


Written Question
Trade Agreements: USA
Wednesday 17th June 2020

Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that their policies of ensuring clear labelling of food to support people to make informed healthy choices, enabled by using food labelling to avoid foods high in sugar, salt, and fat, are not compromised by any trade agreement reached with the government of the United States.

Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel

The Government has been very clear that any future trade deals must work for UK consumers, not compromising on our standards. The Government will continue to support healthy choices through clear labelling, while respecting our WTO obligations to ensure that technical regulations do not create unnecessary obstacles to international trade.


Written Question
Trade Agreements: USA
Wednesday 17th June 2020

Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to maintain food safety standards in the course of their negotiations for a trade agreement with the government of the United States; and what plans they have (1) to ban food washed with chlorine, and (2) to ensure that people are protected from food-borne illnesses.

Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel

The UK will decide how we set and maintain our own standards and regulations and we have been clear that we will not compromise on our high environmental, food safety and animal welfare standards now that we have left the European Union.

Any future deal with the US must work for UK consumers, farmers and companies. Without exception, imports into the UK will meet our stringent food safety standards.


Written Question
Trade Agreements: USA
Wednesday 17th June 2020

Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect (1) animal welfare, and (2) environmental, standards in their negotiations with the government of the United States for a trade agreement; what assessment they have made of the impact that imports of food from the US may have on the working practices of UK livestock farmers; and what plans they have to ban such imports.

Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel

The UK will decide how we set and maintain our own standards and regulations and we will not compromise on our high standards of food safety and animal welfare.

The UK’s food regulators will continue to provide independent advice to ensure that all food imports into the UK comply with those high safety standards.

Any future deal with the US must work for UK consumers, farmers and companies. Without exception, imports into the UK will meet our stringent food safety standards.