Written question asked by David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 5 September 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 7 September 2016. It was answered by Greg Hands (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 September 2016 on behalf of the Department for International Trade.

Trade Agreements: Devolution

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans his Department has in place to include the devolved administrations in UK trade negotiations in the future.

Answer: In due course, Britain will be leaving the EU. This offers us an opportunity to forge a new role for ourselves in the world: to negotiate, in time, our own trade agreements and to be a positive and powerful force for free trade. The Prime Minister has established the Department for International Trade to promote British trade across the world and ensure the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us. The Government is currently reviewing its trade policy. We will engage fully with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland governments and with a broad range of stakeholders over the coming weeks and months as we prepare for negotiations with our international partners.

Secondary information