Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what progress has been made on concluding the Trade in Services Agreement; when he expects that agreement to be laid before Parliament for approval; and if he will make a statement to the House when that agreement is so laid.

The Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) will enter into its 13^th round of negotiations in early July.

Progress to date has been steady and the overall mood remains positive amongst TiSA participants, with substantive progress having been made in several core chapters. The upcoming round will aim to consolidate the progress and set parameters on the content of the agreement.

There is no set deadline for ending negotiations but the hope is for a conclusion mid 2016.

Once the agreement has been concluded and ratified by each Member State, the agreement will then be laid before Parliament. A statement is expected to be made to the House at that point.