Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many officials employed in his Department as of 12 October 2017 have substantial experience of international trade negotiations.

The Department for International Trade has a strong and capable trade policy team which has grown significantly since its establishment in July 2016 and is continuing to grow.

We continue to hire the brightest and best talent from within the UK civil service and externally, in order to build a world class trade policy team that can deliver the best outcomes for the UK.

Internationally recognised expert Crawford Falconer is now in post as DIT’s Chief Trade Negotiation Adviser and Second Permanent Secretary.

Mr Falconer will support the establishment of a world-class trade negotiation function and lead the development of the International Trade profession for trade negotiators. He has
more than 25 years of public service experience in trade and foreign affairs.