Asked by: Navendu Mishra (Labour - Stockport)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she is taking steps to increase trade between the UK and Nepal.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is committed to driving mutual prosperity between the UK and Nepal, enabling UK businesses to take full advantage of Nepal’s high growth sectors such as renewable energy, education and retail. Officials have worked with colleagues in country to remove barriers to trade, such as the recent lifting of import restrictions on luxury goods, and the removal of a lock-in period for foreign funds investing in Nepal. In January the Department for International Trade supported a Clean Growth and Infrastructure event in Kathmandu for industry and Government, focusing on improving standards and regulations for the sector.
Asked by: Navendu Mishra (Labour - Stockport)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, is she will make an assessment of the potential impact of a UK-India free trade agreement on (a) the production of low-cost generics medicines in India and (b) the availability of those drugs to (i) the National Health Service and (ii) developing countries.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK’s approach to Free Trade Agreements is to provide a balanced regime incentivising investment in the research and development necessary to develop new medicines to tackle existing and future health challenges, whilst also ensuring that medicines remain affordable for those who need them.
The government has been clear that it will never agree any provisions that would increase the cost of medicines for our National Health Service. Britain’s trade negotiations with India will not impact on the UK’s access to affordable medicines.
The UK are seeking provisions which achieve an effective balance between rewarding research and innovation, and protecting wider public interests such as ensuring access to medicines.
Asked by: Navendu Mishra (Labour - Stockport)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if the Government will appoint a trade envoy to the Republic of India.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
India is a dynamic, fast-growing trade partner and negotiating a free trade agreement offers the opportunity to deepen our already strong relationship, which was worth £25.6 billion in 2021.
There are currently no plans to appoint a Trade Envoy to India, however, we regularly review countries and markets to identify where the appointment of a Trade Envoy can be of greatest benefit to the trade and investment aims of the UK, alongside the Department’s other support for exporters and investors.
Asked by: Navendu Mishra (Labour - Stockport)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 17 October to Question 62154, whether her Department has 37 or four full-time equivalent staff in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
As of 12 October 2022, there were 41 full-time staff in the Indian state of Maharashtra working for Department for International Trade (DIT). This figure includes staff in UK Export Finance. For clarity, DIT has two posts/locations (Mumbai and Pune) in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai has 37 staff and Pune has 4 staff, totalling 41 staff.
Asked by: Navendu Mishra (Labour - Stockport)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many officials from her Department are based in each state of India as of 12 October 2022.
Answered by James Duddridge
As of 12 October 2022, the full-time equivalent staff based in each state of India are as below. These figures include staff in UK Export Finance.
STATE | STAFF COUNT |
DELHI | 42 |
MAHARASHTRA | 37 |
KARNATAKA | 17 |
TAMIL NADU | 6 |
TELANGANA | 6 |
WEST BENGAL | 5 |
MAHARASHTRA | 4 |
GUJRAT | 3 |
PUNJAB & HARYANA | 2 |
Grand Total | 122 |
Asked by: Navendu Mishra (Labour - Stockport)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the UK’s free trade agreement with India on whisky exports from the UK to India.
Answered by Andrew Griffith - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
A free trade agreement (FTA) with India offers the opportunity to deepen our already strong trade relationship, which was worth £24.3 billion in 2021.
The UK is a competitive supplier of whisky, having exported £146 million worth of whisky to India in 2021. However, Indian most favoured nation (MFN) tariffs on whisky are high at up to 150%. A comprehensive FTA would assist UK whisky exporters by addressing tariff barriers as well as non-tariff barriers such as customs provisions, helping to increase their competitiveness in the Indian market.
Asked by: Navendu Mishra (Labour - Stockport)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Government's position on a TRIPS waiver at the World Health Organisation on the global distribution of vaccines.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
I refer the Hon. Member for Stockport to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington on July 2022 (UIN: 25725). I would also like to note that discussions on a TRIPS Decision were held at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and not at the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Asked by: Navendu Mishra (Labour - Stockport)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the Answer of 8 March 2022 to Question 131344, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of a free trade agreement with India on (a) jobs and (b) investment in Stockport.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
On 13th January, the United Kingdom launched free trade negotiations with India. A United Kingdom-India trade deal is projected to unlock opportunities in every corner of the United Kingdom, and could boost the economy in the North West of England by up to £304 million.
The North West of England exported over £350 million of goods to India in 2021. There are companies from Stockport, like Edina UK Limited, who specialise in clean and sustainable energy that benefit from trade with India already, and we are seeking a trade deal that will open up further opportunities for a range of businesses in Stockport and beyond.
Asked by: Navendu Mishra (Labour - Stockport)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to Answer of 8 March to Question 131344, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of a Free Trade Agreement with India on jobs and investment in Stockport.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Navendu Mishra (Labour - Stockport)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 22 February 2022 to Question 119886 on Trade Agreements: Greater Manchester, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Free Trade Agreement with India on (a) Stockport and (b) Greater Manchester.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
A trade deal between the United Kingdom and India could boost the economy of communities across the north west of England by up to £304 million, compared to 2019. It could cut red tape and improve market access for the more than 1,000 businesses in this corner of the country that exported over £310 million worth of goods to India in 2019.