Oral Answers to Questions

Callum McCaig Excerpts

Thursday 15th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mark Garnier]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to my earlier answer.

[Callum McCaig (Aberdeen South) (SNP)]

2. What discussions he has had with the World Trade Organisation on the approval of new schedules for the UK after the UK has left the EU.

[The Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade (Dr Liam Fox)]

I have had a number of constructive discussions with the director-general of the World Trade Organisation, Roberto Azevêdo. We have made clear to the WTO membership the UK’s intention to replicate as far as possible our current obligations in order to avoid disrupting our trading relationships or those of our trading partners across the world. The UK will need its own schedules in the WTO regardless of the nature of our future trading relationship with the EU.

[Callum McCaig]

Given that the list of countries offended by the Foreign Secretary grows longer by the day, what contingencies are being put in place should there be some opposition to the renegotiation of the UK schedule?

[Dr Fox]

The contingency that the hon. Gentleman asks for is in place, because until new schedules are negotiated and agreed, current schedules will apply. It is worth noting that the European Union itself, having failed to negotiate EU28 schedules, is still operating successfully under the EU15 of 1995.