Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what progress has been made on concluding the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with Canada; 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.

Negotiations for the EU Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) concluded in September 2014. The text of the agreement is currently under legal review and then it will be translated into all the EU official languages before being presented to the EU Council for signature and then the European Parliament for approval. I would expect the text to laid before Parliament in late 2016. I do expect to make a statement to the House when the agreement is laid.