Written question asked by Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party) on Monday, 4 July 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 July 2016 (named day). It was answered by Anna Soubry (Conservative) on Thursday, 7 July 2016 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement will be considered an exclusive competence of the EU.

Answer: The European Commission has recently taken the decision to propose the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) as a “mixed agreement” consisting of both EU and Member State competence. This means that CETA can only take full effect once the UK has decided to ratify it. As part of that ratification process, the complete draft text of the agreement would be laid before Parliament for 21 sitting days. In addition, the Government will ensure the proposals for a Council decision on signature, and subsequent conclusion, will be subject to scrutiny in both Houses of the UK Parliament.

Secondary information