Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will (a) make an assessment of the potential effect on the price of food in the UK of a new trade agreement and (b) lay that assessment before Parliament before signing an agreement.

The potential benefits of our new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) include better jobs, higher wages, more choice and lower prices for people across the United Kingdom.

HM Government has published scoping assessments for FTAs with the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. We will publish impact assessments following the outcome of negotiations too, which will include an assessment of the potential benefits for British consumers.

The Hon. Gentleman will recall that an impact assessment for the United Kingdom-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has already been published.