Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the draft treaty text of the free trade agreement with India on digital services and data would preclude the Government from taking unilateral action to block Voice over Internet Protocol phone calls to UK households, made from overseas using spoofed UK numbers.

A free trade agreement with India offers the opportunity to deepen our already strong trade relationship.

We are seeking an agreement that benefits both businesses and consumers. This includes commitments on the protection of core consumer rights, and advancing digital consumer rights, such as seeking access to redress and reducing spam.

Round 8 is currently taking place in India, and we will provide the House with an update on negotiations after the round. We do not discuss details of live negotiations, and will only sign a deal that is fair, reciprocal, and ultimately in the best interests of the British people and the economy.