Asked by: Chris Law (Scottish National Party - Dundee Central)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will confirm that the Open General Import License does not permit the importation of illegal Settlement Goods from the Occupied West Bank.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Open General Import Licence does not prohibit the importation of goods from the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Goods from illegal Israeli settlements are not eligible for preferential treatment under UK trade agreements. The Government’s overseas business risk guidance outlines the risks of economic activity in settlements and advises businesses to seek legal advice. The Government does not encourage or support such activity, and its guidance enables businesses to make informed decisions.
Asked by: Chris Law (Scottish National Party - Dundee Central)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has conducted an assessment of the potential impact of the Israeli E1 settlement plan on the requirement under the Open General Impost Licence not to import goods from the illegally Occupied West Bank.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK strongly opposes the Israeli government's E1 settlement plans, which would divide a future Palestinian state in two and mark a flagrant breach of international law. The Israeli government must reverse this decision. Goods from illegal Israeli settlements are not eligible for preferential treatment under UK trade agreements. The Government’s overseas business risk guidance outlines the risks of economic activity in settlements and advises businesses to seek legal advice. The Government does not encourage or support such activity, and its guidance enables businesses to make informed decisions.
Asked by: Chris Law (Scottish National Party - Dundee Central)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he last conducted an assessment of the Open General Import Licence criteria to ensure that the Import Licences do not permit the importation of illegal settlement goods from the Occupied West Bank.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government keeps the Open General Import Licence under review to ensure it aligns with UK trade and national security priorities, and our international obligations. Goods from illegal Israeli settlements are not eligible for preferential treatment under UK trade agreements. The Government’s overseas business risk guidance outlines the risks of economic activity in settlements and advises businesses to seek legal advice. The Government does not encourage or support such activity, and its guidance enables businesses to make informed decisions.
Asked by: Chris Law (Scottish National Party - Dundee Central)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he last had discussions with customs officials responsible for administering Import Licences under the Open General Impost Licence criteria.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Open General Import Licence is administered by the Department for Business and Trade. Officials from the Department for Business and Trade maintain regular engagement with HMRC officials to ensure the proper application of the Open General Import Licence regime. These discussions support ongoing efforts to uphold UK trade policy, legal obligations, and compliance with customs procedures.
Asked by: Chris Law (Scottish National Party - Dundee Central)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of the Global Rights Compliance report entitled Risk at the Source: Critical Mineral Supply Chains and State-Imposed Forced Labour in the Uyghur Region, published on 11 June 2025.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
This government will continue to speak up on human rights in China, including the repression of people in Xinjiang, and will continue to hold China to account.
The new Critical Minerals Strategy will help secure the supply of critical minerals vital for the UK's economic growth and clean energy transition. The strategy will promote responsible and transparent supply chains, including through greater adoption of responsible business practices to protect local communities and the environment.
We will continue to assess and monitor the effectiveness of the UK's existing measures, alongside the impacts of new policy tools, to ensure we can best promote responsible business practices and take action where appropriate.
Asked by: Chris Law (Scottish National Party - Dundee Central)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many shipments of military items have been made from the UK to Israel since October 2023.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
DBT does not hold records of final exports of strategically controlled goods, and the fact that a licence is granted does not mean that an export takes place. For specific goods export data, you should refer to HMRC.
The Government has however published extensive information relating to export licensing decisions in relation to Israel. On 10 December, an ad hoc data release was published on ‘Export control licensing management information for Israel’ (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/export-control-licensing-management-information-for-israel/israel-export-control-licensing-data-6-december-2024https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/export-control-licensing-management-information-for-israel/israel-export-control-licensing-data-6-december-2024) which provides information on export licences to Israel to 6 December 2024.
Asked by: Chris Law (Scottish National Party - Dundee Central)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many shipments under commodity code 87 10 00 00 were made to Israel since October 2023.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
DBT does not hold records of final exports of strategically controlled goods, and the fact that a licence is granted does not mean that an export takes place. For specific goods export data, you should refer to HMRC.
The Government has however published extensive information relating to export licensing decisions in relation to Israel. On 10 December, an ad hoc data release was published on ‘Export control licensing management information for Israel’ (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/export-control-licensing-management-information-for-israel/israel-export-control-licensing-data-6-december-2024https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/export-control-licensing-management-information-for-israel/israel-export-control-licensing-data-6-december-2024) which provides information on export licences to Israel to 6 December 2024.
Asked by: Chris Law (Scottish National Party - Dundee Central)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many bullets has been shipped to Israel since October 2023.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
DBT does not hold records of final exports of strategically controlled goods, and the fact that a licence is granted does not mean that an export takes place. For specific goods export data, you should refer to HMRC.
The Government has however published extensive information relating to export licensing decisions in relation to Israel. On 10 December, an ad hoc data release was published on ‘Export control licensing management information for Israel’ (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/export-control-licensing-management-information-for-israel/israel-export-control-licensing-data-6-december-2024https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/export-control-licensing-management-information-for-israel/israel-export-control-licensing-data-6-december-2024) which provides information on export licences to Israel to 6 December 2024.
Asked by: Chris Law (Scottish National Party - Dundee Central)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for UK-Israel trade of Israel’s policies on (a) democratic principles and (b) human rights.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world; we remain committed to the promotion of universal human rights. The UK Government urges all countries, including Israel, to adhere to democratic principles and uphold human rights in line with international law. We believe that having strong diplomatic and economic relationships with partners allows us to have frank discussions on important issues.
Asked by: Chris Law (Scottish National Party - Dundee Central)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has considered suspending the UK-Israel trade and partnership agreement.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
We believe that having strong diplomatic and economic relationships with partners allows us to have frank discussions on important issues. The UK Government continues to work with our allies and partners, including across the region, to find a path towards permanent peace.