Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how much and what proportion of his Department's expenditure has been identified as relating to its work on the UK leaving the EU in 2017-18.
Answered by Mark Garnier
I refer the hon. Member for Arfon to the answer I gave on 24 July, UIN: 5029.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many staff in his Department have responsibilities relating to the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Mark Garnier
The whole of Government is preparing for the UK to make an orderly and successful exit from the European Union. The Department for Exiting the European Union, is doing detailed work with departments to prepare for the upcoming negotiations, by understanding the risks and opportunities of leaving the EU and coordinating planning.
Staff within DIT’s Trade Policy Group lead on providing advice to Ministers on EU Exit and exit-related trade issues.
Members of staff across the Department also provide advice and analysis on EU Exit issues as required.
Given the interactions between EU exit work and the Department’s other priorities, it would not be possible to give an accurate figure.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, to what extent each of the devolved administrations will be included, involved in and consulted on future trade deals.
Answered by Mark Garnier
I refer the hon. Member for Arfon to the answer I gave him on 12 July 2017, UIN: 3614.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he plans to take to ensure that the benefits of and opportunities for trade and investment are shared across the regions and nations of the UK.
Answered by Mark Garnier
The Department for International Trade is a department for the whole of the UK. It supports exports from, and encourages investment into, the whole of the UK. Its negotiation of free trade agreements will benefit the whole of the UK. UK Export Finance is better equipped than ever to support exporters across the UK. The Department will create a Board of Trade – including representatives from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - with the purpose of ensuring that the benefits of trade and investment are spread across the whole of the UK.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he plans to take to consult the devolved administrations on trade deals for (a) fishing, (b) agriculture and (c) transport.
Answered by Mark Garnier
The Department for International Trade will work with citizens, businesses, and administrations from across the UK to ensure we develop a trade policy that works for the whole of the UK, and reflects the interests of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This engagement will cover all parts of the economy including fishing, agriculture, and transport.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in Welsh Government on the representation of Wales on the Board of Trade.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Board of Trade will serve the whole of the United Kingdom; and will include representatives from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This will ensure that the benefits of trade are spread across the whole of the UK.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what representations on a new Board of Trade he plans for each nation and region of the UK.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Board of Trade will serve the whole of the United Kingdom; and will include representatives from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This will ensure that the benefits of trade are spread across the whole of the UK.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions he has had with each of the devolved administrations on the functions of a new Board of Trade.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Board of Trade will serve the whole of the United Kingdom; and will include representatives from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This will ensure that the benefits of trade are spread across the whole of the UK.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how long he expects it will take to negotiate trade deals with all the countries with which the UK currently has trade deals through the UK's EU customs union membership.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK Government is committed to seeking continuity in its current trade and investment relationships, including those covered by EU Free Trade Agreements or other EU preferential arrangements, as we leave the EU.
The UK Government is currently undertaking a broad range of work including discussions with our trading partners, and remains committed to ensuring continuity for businesses.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what his priority list of countries with which the UK can negotiate trade deals within the first five years of leaving the EU is.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
As the Prime Minister has said, we want to build a truly Global Britain that is one of the firmest advocates for free trade anywhere in the world. We are considering our future trading relationships with all of our partners as we prepare to leave the EU.