Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy of 27 April 2021, Official Report, column 86WH, what steps her Department has taken to (a) investigate the use of fire and rehire tactics by its executive non-departmental public bodies, (b) communicate the Government's position on fire and rehire tactics to those bodies and )c) discourage the use of such tactics by those bodies.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government has been very clear that threatening fire and rehire as a negotiating tactic is completely unacceptable. The Government always expects employers to treat employees fairly and in the spirit of partnership working with trade unions, where relevant, constructively. The Government is confident that all non-departmental public bodies are aware of the Government’s position on this matter.
The Department for International Trade (DIT) has only one non-departmental public body, the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), which was established on 1 June 2021. The TRA, like all non-departmental public bodies does not employ civil servants and is responsible for the management of its staff.
DIT works constructively with the TRA when it comes to workforce management matters, however the TRA is ultimately responsible for the management of its staff. There is a Human Resources Memorandum of Understanding between DIT and the TRA, which sits alongside the Framework Agreement that is required for all Public Bodies. These documents outline how DIT will work with the TRA to support staff retention and redeployment policy.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what role (a) she and (b) her officials have played in discussions on the acquisition of PD Ports by the Mudabala Investment Company of Abu Dhabi.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
My Department has dedicated teams of Civil Servants across the UK including sector specialists and industry experts who work closely with Mayors and Local Enterprise Partnerships to help them define commercial investment opportunities which we showcase to potential investors through our global networks.
The Government does not comment on commercial transactions by independent parties.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what support officials in her Department have provided to the Tees Valley Mayor in discussions with investors on the takeover of PD Ports’ facilities in the Tees Freeport.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
My Department has dedicated teams of Civil Servants across the UK including sector specialists and industry experts who work closely with Mayors and Local Enterprise Partnerships to help them define commercial investment opportunities which we showcase to potential investors through our global networks.
The Government does not comment on commercial transactions by independent parties.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, for what reasons the (a) aviation, (b) rail and (c) road haulage industries are not represented on the Freeport Advisory Panel.
Answered by Graham Stuart
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.