Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she is taking steps to increase trade between the UK and Somaliland.
Answered by Marcus Fysh
The Department for International Trade’s Export Support Service provide specialist overseas support to small-and-medium-sized UK enterprises looking to export and grow in African markets, including Somaliland. The free support service, which is offered to high export potential businesses, entails tailored consultations with in-market specialists and off-the-shelf market intelligence on specific sectors and country markets. Since launching the service in Africa in August 2021, the team have serviced three enquiries from UK businesses needing support in exporting into Somaliland.
In addition, through British International Investment, the UK has made a significant investment in the development of Berbera Port.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she plans to take steps to negotiate a trade deal between the UK and Somaliland.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
For a decade the United Kingdom has been the only Western bilateral donor with a permanent diplomatic presence in Hargeisa. However, there are no plans to negotiate a free trade agreement with Somaliland. Somalia, including Somaliland, qualifies for duty free quota free access on goods imported to the United Kingdom through the United Kingdom Generalised Scheme of Preferences.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether her Department has held discussions with (a) Liberty Steel UK and (b) GFG Alliance on the steel safeguard measures in (i) 2022 and (ii) 2021.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The reconsideration of the steel safeguard is continuing and the Trade Remedies Authority’s (TRA) report of findings, to be published in due course, will provide analysis, including an assessment of whether the measure is in the economic interests of the UK. My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade will make a decision, having regard to this analysis.
The Department for International Trade regularly engages with companies on a wide range of issues, including the steel safeguard. In the last month, Ministers have met with steel producers and downstream users. Additionally, all interested parties in the steel safeguard reconsideration have been invited to register to meet with the department.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the steel safeguard on British manufacturers and businesses.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The reconsideration of the steel safeguard is continuing and the Trade Remedies Authority’s (TRA) report of findings, to be published in due course, will provide analysis, including an assessment of whether the measure is in the economic interests of the UK. My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade will make a decision, having regard to this analysis.
The Department for International Trade regularly engages with companies on a wide range of issues, including the steel safeguard. In the last month, Ministers have met with steel producers and downstream users. Additionally, all interested parties in the steel safeguard reconsideration have been invited to register to meet with the department.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions officials in her Department have had with representatives of downstream users of steel products covered by the steel safeguard measure, reference TF0006.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The reconsideration of the steel safeguard is continuing and the Trade Remedies Authority’s (TRA) report of findings, to be published in due course, will provide analysis, including an assessment of whether the measure is in the economic interests of the UK. My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade will make a decision, having regard to this analysis.
The Department for International Trade regularly engages with companies on a wide range of issues, including the steel safeguard. In the last month, Ministers have met with steel producers and downstream users. Additionally, all interested parties in the steel safeguard reconsideration have been invited to register to meet with the department.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, when she expects the Trade Remedies Authority to report their recommendations following the calling in of the UK’s steel safeguard measure, reference TF0006, on 22 March 2022.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The reconsideration of the steel safeguard is continuing and the Trade Remedies Authority’s (TRA) report of findings, to be published in due course, will provide analysis, including an assessment of whether the measure is in the economic interests of the UK. My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade will make a decision, having regard to this analysis.
The Department for International Trade regularly engages with companies on a wide range of issues, including the steel safeguard. In the last month, Ministers have met with steel producers and downstream users. Additionally, all interested parties in the steel safeguard reconsideration have been invited to register to meet with the department.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans she has to prioritise the export of hydrogen technology in the delivery of her Department's new export strategy.
Answered by Mike Freer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The UK is already an exporter of fuel cell and electrolyser technologies, and our world class engineering, procurement, and construction management services are well geared to support international opportunities as the global hydrogen economy grows.
The Export Strategy will help internationalise this key low carbon technology through its business-centred 12-point plan, providing dedicated support in the UK and key hydrogen markets, so that businesses can capitalise on new opportunities, access more markets, obtain trade finance, and support and raise the profile of UK expertise and suppliers.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking to facilitate the development of a UK hydrogen export market.
Answered by Mike Freer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 December to Question UIN: 87668 & 87669.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 21 June 2021 to Question 15453, what progress she has made on introducing a world-leading certified UK environmental, social and governance standards scheme to label British goods and services for international export.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The United Kingdom continues to explore the role of eco-labelling and other forms of consumer information to support positive environmental outcomes. We are currently seeking powers through the Environment Bill that will enable us to establish mandatory labelling schemes relating to environmental impacts, where appropriate.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2021 to Question 14104, what progress she has made on placing environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards at the heart of UK international trade policy.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is committed to upholding the UK’s world-leading environmental and labour standards in Free Trade Agreements. In its outline approaches to Free Trade Agreements, the Government has committed to securing provisions that will protect workers’ rights and help promote trade in low carbon goods and services, supporting research and development in sectors such as offshore wind and smart energy systems. The United Kingdom is also working with international partners at the World Trade Organisation to promote multilateral action on trade and environment.