Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the oral statement of 16 July 2018, Official Report, column 41 on trade policy, how the findings from the public consultation process for future trade agreements will effect the trade negotiations.

As set out in the White Paper of 12^th July 2018, and oral statement to Parliament delivered by my Rt hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade on 16^th July, the UK is preparing for an independent trade policy, including the ability to pursue bilateral trade agreements following EU exit on 29^th March 2019.

This includes the possibility to negotiate free trade agreements with the US, Australia and New Zealand, and potentially seeking accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The Department for International Trade is committed to ensuring an inclusive and transparent trade policy. On 20^th July 2018, it launched 14-week online public consultations. They provide everyone with an opportunity to share their views on these four potential future free trade agreements. The results of the initial consultations will inform the overall approach to our future trade relationship with the US, Australia, New Zealand and the CPTPP. If we launch formal negotiations with those partners, we will continue to engage with stakeholders on specific issues which may arise in the negotiation process.

The Department is putting in place the appropriate mechanisms to ensure that due consideration is given to responses, so that they effectively inform our overall approach to negotiations with partner countries. Before entering into any formal negotiations the Government will publish an outline approach setting out the high level objectives.