Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing measures to ensure that (a) the (i) location and (ii) identity of online sellers can be effectively verified and (b) information on where the item will be shipped from is displayed on the UK websites for global selling platforms.
Answered by Justin Madders
The increase in e-commerce has provided greater choice and convenience, giving consumers access to global markets. However, this has brought significant regulatory challenges.
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 requires ‘material information’ to be included in any invitation to purchase. The Act prohibits unfair commercial practices, which includes misleading actions and omissions that are likely to impact the average consumer’s transactional decisions.
Government has committed to consult on introducing proportionate requirements to online actors using powers in the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025. This includes the aim for consumers purchasing online to have appropriate safety information.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that online sellers meet their obligations in relation to (a) the Hallmarking Act 1973 and (b) the payment of VAT.
Answered by Justin Madders
(a)
Anyone selling precious metals items must comply with the Hallmarking Act 1973. British Hallmarking Council guidance is available at: ”Selling articles of precious metal on the internet - GOV.UK”. In January 2025, I met some of the major online marketplaces and emphasised the importance of ensuring non-compliant products are not made available through their channels.
(b)
VAT collection is already regulated by HMRC under the VAT Act 1994, with updates from the Finance Act 2021 that place VAT obligations on online marketplaces. Since 2021 online marketplaces are liable to VAT from overseas sellers operating on their platform, levelling the playing field with UK businesses.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what permits his Department has issued to UAV Tactical Systems Ltd for the export of (a) hardware, (b) software and (c) technical support to Israel since October 2023.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
From 1 October 2023 to 31 December 2024, the latest date covered by our most official statistics release, UAV Tactical Systems LTD have been issued 3 export licences covering exports to Israel.
Each licence has been assessed to ensure that the items were not for use by the Israeli military in military operations in Gaza, pursuant to the decision on 2 September 2024 to suspend exports of equipment to Israel that might be used by the Israeli military in operations in Gaza.
Licences for military equipment which is not for use in operations in Gaza or which relate to components for products which are ultimately for re-export to other countries were not included in the scope of the suspension.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of halting arms licences for export to foreign governments for which there is a demonstrable risk of complicity in international law violations.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
All export licence applications are reviewed against the UK’s Strategic Export Licensing Criteria (SELC). These state that the Government will not issue export licences if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
We also keep all our extant licences (which typically last for two years) under continual review on this basis.
This government will take whatever action is appropriate in the specific circumstances, including amending, suspending or revoking export licences.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what information his Department holds on how exports made by UAV Tactical Systems Ltd to Israel since October 2023 have been used.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
Three export licences have been issued to this company since October 2023, but each licence has been assessed to ensure that the items were not for use by the Israeli military in military operations in Gaza.
This is pursuant to the decision on 2 September 2024 when we suspended export licences for the Israeli Defence Forces covering equipment that might be used in military operations in Gaza, based on our assessment that these could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Licences for military equipment which is not for use in operations in Gaza or which relate to components for products which are ultimately for re-export to other countries were not included in the scope of the suspension.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the appointment of the interim chair of the Competition Markets Authority on the regulation of (a) technology and (b) other large corporations.
Answered by Justin Madders
The Secretary of State is grateful for the leadership Doug Gurr, the Interim Chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”), has shown since his appointment.
Businesses of all sizes and types are required to comply with competition law. The CMA has published its prioritisation principles which set out the factors the CMA takes into consideration when deciding how to use its resources as effectively as possible.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing legislation that mandates full ingredient disclosure for all menstrual products.
Answered by Justin Madders
Period products are regulated by the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, which requires all products to be safe and for consumers to be provided with information on the potential risks of a product. Through the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, the Government has committed to consult on this matter to ensure that any changes to the safety provisions of these products are robust and consistent.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will review the terms of the UK/Israel: Trade and Partnership Agreement, in the context of allegations of human rights violations in Israel.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
We believe that having strong diplomatic and economic relationships with partners allows us to have frank discussions on important issues. The UK Government continues to work with our allies and partners, including across the region, to find a path towards permanent peace.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make it his policy to suspend trade negotiations with Israel pending the outcomes of ongoing investigations by the International Court of Justice into allegations of human rights violations in that country.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
The government respects the independence of the International Court of Justice, and we are carefully considering the Court's advisory opinion with the seriousness and rigour it deserves.
We are of the clear view that Israel should bring an end to its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as rapidly as possible, but this must be done in a way that creates the conditions for negotiations towards the two-state solution. On 29 July 2024, the Secretary of State announced the Government's intention to deliver negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council, India, Israel, South Korea, Switzerland and Turkey.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department has taken to consult with civil society organizations on the potential impact of the proposed UK-Israel free trade agreement on (a) human rights and (b) compliance with international law.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
The Department regularly engages with stakeholders on the Free Trade Agreement programme and I have held several such sessions, including with civil society leaders. The strategic approach to negotiations has been published on gov.uk, including an overview of negotiation objectives and a response to the call for input which ran in early 2022.
The government will continue to stand up for human rights and international law around the world, providing support to open societies and drawing on our full range of tools and levers.