Asked by: Anum Qaisar (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether her Department plans to take steps to help mitigate the emissions increases projected in the UK-India Free Trade Agreement Scoping Assessment, published January 2022.
Answered by Greg Hands
A free trade agreement (FTA) with India could help address trade barriers, drive growth and support jobs across the UK. The Government is seeking provisions that support our ambitions on the environment and climate change, while preserving the UK’s right to regulate.
Alongside FTA negotiations, the UK and India work together to support clean growth. The UK-India roadmap includes an ambitious agenda for collaboration on climate change as well as work in multilateral fora such as the World Trade Organization.
At signature, the Government will publish the Impact Assessment including estimates of emissions impacts expected to result from the agreement.
Asked by: Anum Qaisar (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what representations her Department made to Indian negotiators on India’s human rights record during free trade agreement negotiations.
Answered by Greg Hands
The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world. We remain committed to the promotion of universal human rights, and when we have concerns they are raised directly with partner governments, including at ministerial level. This is undertaken separately to negotiations of free trade agreements, although they are part of building open and trusting relationships with important partners.
Asked by: Anum Qaisar (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, when her Department plans to conclude Free Trade Agreement negotiations with India.
Answered by Greg Hands
Negotiations are ongoing with India. To date, there have been five formal rounds of talks. We have provisionally closed the majority of chapters in our free trade agreement talks with India and look forward to a next formal round of negotiations soon.
The Government is clear that it won’t sacrifice quality for speed. We will continue to review progress, and only sign when we have a deal that is fair, reciprocal, and ultimately in the best interests of the British people and the economy.
Asked by: Anum Qaisar (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the intended contents of the UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement include provisions for human surveillance technology.
Answered by James Duddridge
On 20 July, negotiations between the UK and Israel for an upgraded, innovation-focused Free Trade Agreement (FTA) were launched. As part of this, our strategic approach to the negotiations was published on GOV.UK. This document sets out the UK’s key objectives in these negotiations.
Asked by: Anum Qaisar (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the intended contents of the UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement include provisions for transport technology.
Answered by James Duddridge
On 20 July, negotiations between the UK and Israel for an upgraded, innovation-focused Free Trade Agreement (FTA) were launched. As part of this, our strategic approach to the negotiations was published on GOV.UK. This document sets out the UK’s key objectives in these negotiations.
Asked by: Anum Qaisar (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether there will be provisions in place within any free trade deal between the UK and Israel on strengthening the rights of Palestinians working in Israel and the Occupied Territories.
Answered by James Duddridge
The Government has high regard for worker protections and has made clear that we will not compromise on these in our trade agreements. All our negotiations seek to ensure commitment to international labour protections, including at the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Asked by: Anum Qaisar (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what advice her Department has received from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on how a UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement could impact human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Answered by James Duddridge
The Department for International Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office discuss the interlinkages between the UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement, and the wider UK-Israel foreign policy relationship on a regular basis. This joined-up approach has informed the published strategic approach to the UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement, including the Government's approach to these issues.
The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world and we remain committed to the promotion of universal human rights.
Asked by: Anum Qaisar (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether her Department has sought advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on how a UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement could safeguard the UK's human rights commitments in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Answered by James Duddridge
The Department for International Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office discuss the interlinkages between the UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement, and the wider UK-Israel foreign policy relationship on a regular basis. This joined-up approach has informed the published strategic approach to the UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement, including the Government's approach to these issues.
The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world and we remain committed to the promotion of universal human rights.
Asked by: Anum Qaisar (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether provisions will be in place within any free trade deal between the UK and Israel on ensuring explicit exclusion of preferential trading terms for (a) goods and services exports produced in or (b) investment in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Answered by James Duddridge
Under the current UK-Israel agreement, goods imported from illegal settlements are not entitled to the benefits from trade preferences. Palestinian goods imported from the Occupied Palestinian Territories benefit from the trade preferences in the bilateral agreement negotiated between the UK and the Palestinian Authority.
The UK does not recognise the Occupied Palestinian Territories as part of Israel, including illegal settlements.
Asked by: Anum Qaisar (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether provisions will be in place within any free trade deal between the UK and Israel on ensuring that preferential treatment does not cover trade with illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Answered by James Duddridge
Under the current UK-Israel agreement, goods imported from illegal settlements are not entitled to the benefits from trade preferences. Palestinian goods imported from the Occupied Palestinian Territories benefit from the trade preferences in the bilateral agreement negotiated between the UK and the Palestinian Authority.
The UK does not recognise the Occupied Palestinian Territories as part of Israel, including illegal settlements.