Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans she has to use primary legislation to implement free trade agreements with (a) the US, (b) Australia, (c) New Zealand and (d) Japan.

The Government will, where necessary, bring forward primary legislation to implement future Free Trade Agreements where existing powers do not exist on the statute book. The agreement with Japan, as with all of the countries that have an existing trade agreement with the EU, is included in the scope of the Trade Bill.

This Government remains committed to the principles of transparency and scrutiny. The Department for International Trade (DIT) is working to ensure future Free Trade Agreements such as with the US, Australia and New Zealand, are implemented smoothly and transparently. DIT is considering options on legislative implementation for these new agreements and is working closely with other Departments, including the Foreign Office.