Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether Investor State Dispute Settlement mechanisms will be included in a future trade deal with Japan; and if will she make a statement.

The precise details of a Free Trade Agreement with Japan are a matter for formal negotiations, and we would not seek to pre-empt these discussions.

However, Britain has negotiated investment agreements with investment protections and Investor-State Dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions with over 90 existing treaty partners. HM Government recognises the important role that these provisions can play in protecting British investors abroad, including small- and medium-sized enterprises, and pensioners across the country through their pension funds.

Where ISDS is included in future agreements, we will seek to ensure fair outcomes of claims and high ethical standards for arbitrators, with increased transparency and efficiency of proceedings.