Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the Government's proposal to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of requesting an exemption to Investor State Dispute Settlement clause; and if she will make a statement.

The UK’s independent investment policy makes it easier for UK firms to invest overseas and reinforces the UK’s position as the top destination in Europe for investment and the third in the world. Accession to Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will help to secure the UK’s already strong position in investment.

The UK has negotiated investment agreements with investment protections and Investor-State Dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions with over 90 existing treaty partners, including CPTPP partners, and recognises the important role that these provisions can play in protecting UK investors abroad.

CPTPP is a high standards agreement. It is in the UK’s interests to meet these standards, not to re-write the agreement, and for future applicants to meet these standards too.