Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the assessment of bids submitted for freeport status on or before 5 February 2021, whether the process set out on pages 38-39 of the Government's Freeports Bidding Prospectus, CP 315 was followed in full; what criteria was used to ensure the process was open; whether any part of the process had its initial timeline hastened or compressed to make it possible to announce the freeports at Budget 2021; on what date the decision on the eight designated freeports was taken; and on what date spending was authorized for transport costs associated with the Prime Minister's visit to Teesside on 4 March 2021.

Specific locations were chosen according to the fair, open and transparent assessment process set out in the Bidding Prospectus.