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, whether impact assessments for new trade deals will be undertaken by an independent consultant, ex ante; and whether those impact assessments will assess the effect of new trade deals on women and girls in developing countries.

The Government is committed to providing Parliament with timely information about the Government’s approach to trade and investment negotiations and the potential implications of any new agreements. This will include timely analysis at appropriate points. The government is considering options for how best to undertake the analysis.

The Government remains committed to increasing women’s role in trade in the UK and around the world.