Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to her Department's press release, Ghana-UK Joint Statement: Ghana-UK Trade Partnership Agreement, published on 4 February 2021, if she will publish a timetable for the full restoration of tariff free trade between Ghana and the UK; what plans her Department has to refund tariffs paid by UK importers from Ghana once that deal takes effect; what the planned timescale is for such refunds; and if she will make a statement.

As set out in the Joint Statement of 4^th February, negotiations with Ghana have been finalised. We are working with Ghana to put the deal in place as soon as possible, and this requires both sides to work at pace. As with any trade agreement, there are a number of internal processes that need to take place on both sides to allow the terms of the agreement to be applied.

The collection of tariffs is a matter for HM Revenue and Customs, but the Hon. Gentleman will know that imports from Ghana are currently receiving the correct tariff treatment under the United Kingdom’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences. We are focused on putting a trade deal in place as quickly as possible so that tariffs are lifted on a lasting basis.