Asked by: Sarah Wollaston (Liberal Democrat - Totnes)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what steps he is taking in negotiations with his EU counterparts to ensure the UK’s continued membership of the European University Institute Convention.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Government has made clear that it values international exchange and collaboration. Officials in the Department for Exiting the EU and the Department for Education have met with the EUI to hold discussions to explore options to provide continuity and ensure UK students at the EUI can complete their studies.
Should Parliament approve the deal the Prime Minister has negotiated with the EU, the UK will continue to apply the terms of the EUI Convention for the duration of the implementation period. The UK’s rights and obligations under the Convention would continue during that period, in accordance with the Withdrawal Agreement. The Political Declaration sets out that we will establish general principles, terms and conditions for UK participation in EU programmes in areas of shared interest, and wider dialogues to allow us to share best practice and act together in our mutual interest. On this basis, we will explore with the European University Institute options for future participation in its activities and we will work to ensure that UK students at the EUI will be able to complete their studies.
Furthermore, UK universities will be able to continue to collaborate with the EUI in research projects even if the UK is no longer a member of the EUI Convention.
Asked by: Sarah Wollaston (Liberal Democrat - Totnes)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether it remains the Government’s assessment that the UK will automatically leave the European University Institute Convention on 29 March 2019.
Answered by Robin Walker
The European University Institute Convention (EUIC) is an agreement between the Member States of the European Union. After 29 March 2019, the United Kingdom will cease to be a Member State of the European Union and, as such, the UK’s membership of the EUIC will automatically cease. Should Parliament approve the deal the Prime Minister has negotiated with the EU, the UK will continue to apply the terms of the EUI Convention for the duration of the implementation period. The UK’s rights and obligations under the Convention would continue during that period, in accordance with the Withdrawal Agreement.
Officials in my department and in the Department for Education have met with the EUI to explore options for future participation in its activities and we will work to ensure that UK students at the EUI will be able to complete their studies. Furthermore, UK universities will be able to continue to collaborate with the EUI in research projects even if the UK is no longer a member of the EUI Convention.
Asked by: Sarah Wollaston (Liberal Democrat - Totnes)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment he has made of the benefits and opportunities available to the British aerospace industry after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Robin Walker
The UK is a world leading exporter in civil aerospace, with key strengths in some of the most complex parts of aircraft including engines, wings, and advanced systems such as landing gear. Through Government’s regular dialogue with the UK aerospace industry, we are aware of a range of opportunities the UK’s exit from the European Union may present for the sector.
To ensure the aerospace sector retains the maximum freedom to trade with and operate within European markets, we are seeking a bold and ambitious Free Trade Agreement as part of a new, deep and special partnership with the EU. The UK will continue to benefit from membership of the WTO Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft. Moreover, the Government will build an ambitious trade policy based on the UK’s national interest which will provide greater access to overseas markets.
Asked by: Sarah Wollaston (Liberal Democrat - Totnes)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what steps he is taking to (a) engage with and (b) protect the interests of the South West's agricultural and fishing industries during future trade negotiations with the EU.
Answered by Robin Walker
As part of our committment to hear from every sector and region in the UK, DExEU Ministers continue to engage closely with organisations across the agriculture and fishing industries, to enable us to understand issues for the sectors and to identify potential post-exit opportunities.
We have spoken to a range of organisations including the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations, and the National Farmers’ Union and will continue to listen to workers in the industry, trade organisations, producers and the public as negotiations progress.
Leaving the EU presents a major opportunity for the UK agriculture and fishing industries. The Government will be able to design new policies which specifically benefit British agriculture, the countryside and the fisheries, and provide better value for money to the British taxpayer.