Asked by: Sarah Green (Liberal Democrat - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what her planned timetable is for the conclusion of negotiations on a free trade agreement with India.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
Free trade agreement negotiations are ongoing with India. We have provisionally closed the majority of chapters. To date, there have been five formal rounds of talks and we look forward to the next formal round of negotiations soon.
The Government is clear that in negotiations we will not sacrifice quality for speed. We will continue to review progress and only sign when we have a deal that is fair, reciprocal, and ultimately in the best interests of the British people and the economy.
Asked by: Sarah Green (Liberal Democrat - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many international trade advisers operate in (a) South West, (b) South East, (c) London, (d) West Midlands, (e) East Midlands, (f) East Anglia, (g) North West, (h) Yorkshire and Humberside, (i) North East, (j) Scotland, (k) Northern Ireland and (l) Wales as of 12 October 2022.
Answered by James Duddridge
Please see the below breakdown of Department for International Trade (DIT) international trade advisers (ITAs) based on region:
Southern England:
South West - 25
East of England- 21
South East - 26
London - 2 (DIT was asked to take some tough budget decisions in 2021-22 Financial Year and, given the greater density of businesses and other business support available in London compared to the rest of England, Ministers made the decision that the London ITA service would cease.)
Midlands Engine:
East Midlands - 23
West Midlands - 36
Northern Powerhouse:
Yorkshire & Humberside – 24
North West – 25
North East – 10
ITAs are provided in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by the devolved governments.