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1655146

	registered interest
	date	25/07/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Uzbekistan
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the visit to the UK by Bakhtiyor Saidov, the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, on 24 July, what priority areas were put forward in discussion by (1) Uzbekistan, (2) the UK; and when they anticipate that a return visit will take place to Uzbekistan by the Foreign Secretary or another Secretary of State.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL9725
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/08/2023 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary met Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov on 24 July to discuss how to advance our interests together, and how we can build stronger cooperation. The UK is committed to working with Uzbekistan across our many shared priorities: security, trade, human rights, climate and the war in Ukraine. The Foreign Secretary's travel plans over the next year are yet to be decided, however he is committed to increasing ties with Uzbekistan. The Minister for Europe and Central Asia, Leo Docherty, visited Uzbekistan on 6 June and has since visited the four other Central Asian Republics.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 07/08/2023 13:46:28 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1174499

	registered interest
	date	29/01/2020
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their latest policy on the Chagos Islands; and what assessment they have made of the UN General Assembly's resolution 73/295 Advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965, of 22 May 2019.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL959
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/02/2020 answer text <p>We have no doubt about our sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), which has been under continuous British sovereignty since 1814. We have made a long-standing commitment to cede sovereignty of the territory to Mauritius when it is no longer required for defence purposes. We stand by that commitment.</p><p>We were disappointed this matter was referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), contrary to the principle that the Court should not consider bilateral disputes without the consent of both States concerned. The United Kingdom respects the ICJ and participated fully in the advisory proceedings in good faith. However, we do not share the ICJ's approach and have made known our views on the content of the opinion, including its insufficient regard to significant material facts and legal issues. The ICJ's opinion is advisory and not legally binding. Resolution 73/295 does not and cannot create any legal obligations for UN Member States.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 10/02/2020 13:09:35 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1654993

	registered interest
	date	20/07/2023
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Import Duties
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the factors contributing to the increase from the previous year’s collections in customs duty revenue as published in HMRC accounts for 2022–23.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL9586
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/07/2023 answer text <p>As set out in HMRC published accounts, 2021/2022 total customs duty was c.£4.8billion and c.£5.5billion in 2022/2023. This represents an increase of c. £0.7billion in duty collected.</p><p> </p><p>The collection of customs duty revenue depends on a range of factors, such as the customs duty rates applied, overall volumes of imports, and the value of those goods imported.</p><p> </p><p>His Majesty's Government will continue to monitor the collection of customs duty revenue.</p> answering member printed Baroness Penn question first answered 26/07/2023 14:07:44 answering member 4726 label Biography information for Baroness Penn
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1245052

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2020
	answering body	Department for International Trade
	answering dept id	202
	answering dept short name	International Trade
	answering dept sort name	International Trade
	hansard heading	Trade Agreements
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what legal protections for business that need to be applied globally in order to function are best addressed in (1) multilateral fora, and (2) bilateral free trade agreements.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL9398
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2020 answer text <p>DIT continues to work closely with business stakeholders and business representative organisations through regular engagement channels. Through this engagement we have the opportunity to gain insights from businesses on the trade policy issues that matter to them, including any matters they may raise concerning legal protections to operate globally. These processes help inform the policy making process and if such matters were raised we would assess whether they could be addressed in multilateral fora, such as the WTO, or in our bilateral engagement, for example through Free Trade Agreements.</p> answering member printed Lord Grimstone of Boscobel question first answered 02/11/2020 12:25:50 answering member 4876 label Biography information for Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1245002

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2020
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Developing Countries: Digital Technology
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the potential of digital trade to aid economic recovery from COVID-19, and (2) the digital divide between the UK and developing countries; and what plans they have to increase their spending on communication and digitisation capacity building to more than 0.2 per cent of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's total budget.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL9397
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2020 answer text <p>Digital trade can support economic recovery by enabling more trade to continue during global lockdowns and by opening new trading opportunities which the UK also stands to benefit from. During the COVID-19 pandemic we have been supporting businesses to adapt to the challenges of operating online. For example, our 'SheTrades Commonwealth' programme is helping women-owned businesses in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and Bangladesh to use digital platforms to market their products and maintain relationships with clients remotely.</p><p>There is a deep global digital divide. For example, only 19% of individuals in the least developed countries are estimated to have internet access, while 91% of all UK adults have recently used the internet. The UK Government is investing in programmes that increase digital inclusion in developing countries and emerging markets. This includes the Digital Access Programme which is working in five countries to address the fundamental constraints to digital inclusion, build cybersecurity capacity and support local digital economies, with a focus on underserved communities. Future spending plans on communication and digitisation capacity building, and in all other areas, will depend on the outcome of the ongoing Spending Review.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 02/11/2020 16:10:37 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1245000

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2020
	answering body	Department for International Trade
	answering dept id	202
	answering dept short name	International Trade
	answering dept sort name	International Trade
	hansard heading	Exports
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they plan to provide to encourage the target growth in exports.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL9396
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2020 answer text <p>The Government is committed to ensuring that all UK businesses can take advantage of the significant economic benefits of exporting. According to UNCTAD global export rankings (released in September 2020) the UK overtook France to become the world’s fifth largest exporter in 2019 and was the only one of the world’s top ten exporters to increase exports in that year.</p><p> </p><p>Our ambitious free trade agreement programme and market access work helps unlock new opportunities for exporters worldwide.</p><p> </p><p>We also provide direct support to both new and existing exporters, to ensure firms have the confidence and expertise they need to export around the world.</p><p> </p><p>Access to finance is also central to our support for business. The export finance offer from UK Export Finance, the UK’s export credit agency, helps UK companies win export contracts, fulfil contracts, and get paid.</p> answering member printed Lord Grimstone of Boscobel question first answered 03/11/2020 14:08:08 answering member 4876 label Biography information for Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1244999

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2020
	answering body	Department for International Trade
	answering dept id	202
	answering dept short name	International Trade
	answering dept sort name	International Trade
	hansard heading	Trade Agreements: Ghana
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to explore non-reciprocal mechanisms to allow continued market access if their negotiations with the government of Ghana to reach a continuity trade agreement are not successful.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL9395
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2020 answer text <p>We continue to engage with Ghana to secure their duty-free quota-free access to Britain, through a continuity trade agreement that would replicate the effect of the existing EU trade agreement and provide lasting certainty for businesses in our trading arrangements.</p><p> </p><p>If a continuity agreement cannot be agreed with Ghana then, as a lower-middle income country, they will be able to get some trade preferences through our Generalised Scheme of Preferences from 31<sup>st</sup> December 2020.</p> answering member printed Lord Grimstone of Boscobel question first answered 03/11/2020 12:10:01 answering member 4876 label Biography information for Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1244997

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2020
	answering body	Department for International Trade
	answering dept id	202
	answering dept short name	International Trade
	answering dept sort name	International Trade
	hansard heading	Trade Agreements
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure future trade deals do not impose new costs for (1) regulatory inspections and approvals, (2) trade licences, and (3) country of origin requirements on British (a) importers, and (b) exporters.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL9394
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2020 answer text <p>HM Government have been clear in our objectives for future trade deals that we will seek to lower costs, by removing and preventing unnecessary and unintended trade barriers in markets around the world, while upholding the safety and quality of products at home.</p><p> </p><p>This includes making it easier for British manufacturers to have their products tested against trade partners’ rules prior to export, and seeking Rules of Origin that reflect the requirements of British industry, supported by predictable and low-cost administrative arrangements.</p> answering member printed Lord Grimstone of Boscobel question first answered 02/11/2020 12:25:11 answering member 4876 label Biography information for Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1244996

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2020
	answering body	Department for International Trade
	answering dept id	202
	answering dept short name	International Trade
	answering dept sort name	International Trade
	hansard heading	Commonwealth: Digital Technology
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made as a result of the Digital Connectivity Cluster led by the UK and South Africa.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL9393
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2020 answer text <p>At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London in 2018, countries reaffirmed their commitment to free trade and adopted the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda for Trade and Investment with the ambition of enhancing cooperation across the Commonwealth – boosting intra-Commonwealth trade to beyond $2 trillion by 2030. Six members came forward to lead the five ‘clusters’ (working groups): physical, digital, regulatory, supply-side and business to business connectivity. Following the launch of the Connectivity Agenda, the United Kingdom volunteered to co-lead the digital cluster with South Africa.</p><p> </p><p>The Connectivity Agenda clusters have met three times so far. Members from 18 Commonwealth countries have exchanged views and experiences on the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation, digital inclusion, barriers to e-commerce and the readiness of countries to engage in digital trade. Members have also discussed developing a set of high-level principles to underpin digital connectivity. The Commonwealth Secretariat is developing a Commonwealth FinTech Toolkit and a Commonwealth Repository of Digital Policies.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Grimstone of Boscobel question first answered 03/11/2020 14:11:02 answering member 4876 label Biography information for Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1653276

	registered interest
	date	14/07/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to update the Integrated Review Refresh 2023 on a quarterly basis, given the evolving policy and geopolitical circumstances.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL9376
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/07/2023 answer text <p>There are no plans for a fixed schedule of updates for the Integrated Review Refresh 2023. However, the Government will regularly review the overall strategy to ensure it is keeping pace with the evolving international environment.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 28/07/2023 11:54:29 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley