Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential for a supply chain crisis affecting the UK in the next few months; and what steps they (1) have put in place, or (2) plan to put in place, to mitigate the impact of any such crisis.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
Supply chain resilience is a priority for HM Government. In October, the Prime Minister appointed Sir Dave Lewis to advise on supply chains and identify both immediate improvements and any necessary long-term changes. We are working to secure the supply chains of the future already, including for critical minerals, by working with like-minded nations around the world.
Although not every aspect of the market can, or should, be controlled, HM Government has taken quick and decisive action to ease pressures where immediate interventions have been required. We have put in place a raft of measures to deal with the extraordinary set of circumstances brought on by the pandemic and the re-animation of the global economy. These include increasing HGV testing capacity, extending cabotage rights, training up to 5,000 HGV drivers, and making available temporary visas for poultry workers and butchers.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many arms export licences to Afghanistan they approved in (1) 2020, and (2) 2021; and what was their total financial value.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
In 2020, 16 Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) were granted for military rated items to Afghanistan, with a value of £21,710,485. In addition, one Open Individual Export Licence (OIEL) was granted for military rated items. Because OIELs are open-ended, they are not restricted by quantities or values for the specific items the licence is granted for.
For the period 1st January to 31st March 2021, four SIELs were granted for military rated items, with a value of £533,350; and one OIEL was granted.
Information on licences granted between 1st April to 30th June 2021 will be published as Official Statistics GOV.UK on 12th October 2021; and information on licences granted from 1st July to 30th September 2021 in January 2022.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the planned review of the trade envoy programme will be completed; and what that review will cover.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
The review of the future of the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy Programme has been completed. We expect to make a written statement on the Programme in the near future.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the implications of the government of Israel’s planned annexation of parts of the West Bank on the UK–Israel trade and partnership agreement, in particular UK preferential imports from Israel; and whether any such implications have been discussed with the government of Israel.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
The United Kingdom does not recognise the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including settlements, as part of Israel.
For this reason, goods imported from the settlements are not entitled to benefit from trade preferences under the United Kingdom-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement. We will maintain this approach. HM Government has maintained a dialogue with Israel and we will continue to work towards a negotiated two-state solution, using the diplomatic means we have at our disposal.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Prime Minister will meet the President of the United States to discuss a trade deal between the UK and the USA; and when it is proposed that formal trade negotiations will commence.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Now that our negotiating objectives for a UK US Free Trade Agreement have been published, we are in a position to negotiate and are in discussions with the United States about when those negotiations will commence.
The Prime Minister values the UK’s relationship with the United States, our closest defence and security ally and largest single trading partner. He speaks regularly to the President and will discuss the progress of negotiations in his discussions with the President over the coming months.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in agreeing the European Union’s proposed Special Purpose Vehicle to facilitate trade with Iran and to retain some of the sanctions relief provided by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Answered by Baroness Fairhead
Her Majesty’s Government is undertaking extensive discussions with the other members of the E3 (France and Germany) and the European Union to finalise the technical details of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). The E3/EU are committed to making every effort possible to deliver the SPV to secure banking channels and maintain sanctions relief to Iran.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have raised the possibility of the suspension of UK arms exports to Saudi Arabia with the government of Saudi Arabia at any time since 2 October 2018.
Answered by Baroness Fairhead
The UK Government regularly raises the importance of compliance with international humanitarian law with the government of Saudi Arabia.
The key test for the Government for our continued military exports to Saudi Arabia in relation to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is whether there is a clear risk that those items might be used in the commission of a serious violation of IHL.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made by the joint trade working group established in 2017 to prepare the ground for the post-Brexit UK–Turkey trading relationship.
Answered by Baroness Fairhead
The UK Government wants to ensure that the strong trading relationship between the UK and Turkey continues to thrive after the UK leaves the EU. We are working with Turkey through the UK-Turkey Trade Working Group to understand what is necessary to achieve this. The Working Group has now met three times, the most recent meeting was held in London on 20 June.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of China's One Belt, One Road initiative, and of its implications for (1) the UK's economy, and (2) the global economy.
Answered by Lord Price
HMG has discussed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with China as part of our regular engagement, including at ministerial level. The UK is a ‘natural partner’ on BRI, as it is home to the world’s leading financial centre, with strengths in key professional services and close relationships with many of the countries involved. We will work proactively to maximise opportunities for UK exports and investments related to BRI.
Spanning four continents, BRI has the potential to raise living standards for 70% of the global population by promoting trade, interconnectivity and economic growth.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of elite trade negotiators needed to broker trade deals following Brexit; and how many have been recruited to date.
Answered by Lord Price
I refer my Rt Hon. and learned Friend the Marquess of Lothian QC to the answer I gave to the noble Member Lord Adonis on 17/07/2017 (HL312).