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Written Question
Trade Agreements: South America
Monday 10th June 2019

Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, when he plans to lay before the House the UK's trade agreement with Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

Answered by George Hollingbery

Pending the completion of the necessary internal procedures, the UK-Andean Countries Trade Agreement will shortly be laid before Parliament to be scrutinised for 21 sitting days, as set out in the in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act (CRaG) 2010. The Agreement will be accompanied by both a Parliamentary Report and an Explanatory Memorandum.


Written Question
Trade Agreements: Hong Kong
Monday 25th February 2019

Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure that guarantees on human rights form part of future trade negotiations with the Government of Hong Kong after the UK leaves the EU.

Answered by George Hollingbery

The U.K. agreed a Strategic Dialogue with Hong Kong in 2017. As part of this, we are exploring with HK a range of ambitious options for our future trade relationship.

The UK has long supported the promotion of our values globally and this will continue as we leave the EU. We are committed to upholding the UK’s high standards and we are exploring all options in the design of future trade and investment agreements, including possible human rights provisions.


Written Question
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership
Tuesday 24th July 2018

Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the White Paper entitled The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, published in July 2018, Cm 9593, what assessments has been made of the feasibility of accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Answered by George Hollingbery

As set out in the Government’s White Paper on the future relationship with the EU, the UK will potentially seek accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CTPP). This will take place pending the outcome of a 14-week public consultation and the process of accession for new members being established. Potential accession would be sought on terms consistent with the future relationship with the EU, and domestic priorities. CPTPP includes some of the world's fastest growing economies that together represent 13-14% of global GDP, and a total population of around 500m people. If the UK were to join, it would be the second largest economy in the group, and CPTPP’s coverage of global GDP would increase to around 17%. We are undertaking assessments of all the opportunities presented by CPTPP, including analysis on opportunities the agreement presents to UK consumers and businesses.


Written Question
Internet: USA
Tuesday 14th November 2017

Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on section 230 of the US Communications Decency Act 1996.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and I have regular contact with our US counterparts on a range of issues. However, we have had no discussions on Section 230 of the US Communications Decency Act 1996.


Written Question
USA: Trade Agreements
Tuesday 14th November 2017

Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what his policy is on the potential inclusion of section 230 of the US Communications Decency Act 1996 in any US-UK free trade deal.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and I have regular contact with our US counterparts on a range of issues. However, we have had no discussions on Section 230 of the US Communications Decency Act 1996.


Written Question
Defence Equipment: Venezuela
Tuesday 10th October 2017

Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if he will publish the assessments made of the military equipment approved for exports to Venezuela between 2015 and 2017.

Answered by Mark Garnier

All export licences are issued in strict accordance with the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria.

We will not be publishing assessments made of the military equipment approved for exports to Venezuela between 2015 – 2017 because such assessments are confidential.

The Government publishes Official Statistics (on a quarterly and annual basis) on export licences granted and refused on GOV.UK. These reports contain detailed information on export licences issued, refused or revoked, by destination, including the overall value, type (e.g. Military, Other) and a summary of the items covered by these licences.

Currently this includes information up to 31 March 2017. Information covering 1 April to 30 June 2017 will be published on 17 October 2017 and information covering 1 July to 30 September 2017 will be published on 16 January 2018.


Written Question
Trade Promotion
Thursday 30th March 2017

Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how much the Government has spent on television advertisements urging businesses to export in the last 12 months; and what the business case was for that expenditure.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Since April 2016, the Government has spent £1.97m on television advertising as part of the Exporting is GREAT campaign to inspire more businesses to take their next step towards exporting by visiting the website great.gov.uk.

Television advertising gives us the ability to communicate with a large audience across the UK, generate awareness and encourage action. We target specific audiences and TV is a cost effective medium that compliments other communications activity across radio, print, online and email. This ensures our message reaches the intended audiences.


Written Question
Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
Wednesday 9th November 2016

Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether he has consulted the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets on the implications for its remit of the draft Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.

Answered by Mark Garnier

The lead department on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) was previously the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and is now the Department for International Trade. BIS established a process for regular cross-Whitehall engagement with relevant parts of Government to ensure matters arising from the TTIP discussions have been considered appropriately.


Written Question
Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
Wednesday 9th November 2016

Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether he has consulted the Competition and Markets Authority on the implications for its remit of the draft Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.

Answered by Mark Garnier

The lead department on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) was previously the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and is now the Department for International Trade. BIS established a process for regular cross-Whitehall engagement with relevant parts of Government to ensure matters arising from the TTIP discussions have been considered appropriately.


Written Question
Department for International Trade: Staff
Monday 17th October 2016

Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many trade negotiators he has hired since 23 June 2016; and what the aggregate cost is of their contracts.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department for International Trade already has a strong and capable trade policy team which has more than doubled in size since 23 June. Over the coming months we will be developing that team to build the world class negotiating strengths needed to deliver the best outcomes for the UK. They will have the depth and breadth of expertise to handle the full range of sectoral and cross-cutting issues that arise in trade agreements, supported by analysts and lawyers. We will continue to hire the brightest and best talent from within the UK civil service and in time, will look to enhance our team by drawing on expertise from elsewhere.