Germany accounts for 10.2% of total UK trade and remains a crucial market for UK goods and services. Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Germany amounted to £132.7 billion in 2018.<\/p>
<\/p>
In August 2018, my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade launched the Export Strategy, through which the Government plans to increase UK total exports as a proportion of GDP to 35% and make Britain a 21st century exporting superpower. Germany will be a priority market for this strategy. We will also continue to promote the UK as a bilateral trading partner, reassuring German businesses that the UK remains open for business and remains an advocate for free trade and open markets.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4169", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Viscount Younger of Leckie"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-22T16:23:42.5Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "202"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Trade"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Trade"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Overseas Trade: Germany"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to develop the UK\u2019s post-Brexit trading relationship with Germany.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1796", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Taylor of Warwick"} ], "uin" : "HL15613"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1124893", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Trade"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1124893/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK remains concerned about the current trade tensions between the US and China which could adversely affect global growth.<\/p>
The UK shares some of the US\u2019s concerns with China\u2019s trade practices and believes they should be addressed through structural opening in China and through multilateral cooperation, including ambitious reform of the WTO. The UK supports ongoing dialogue between the US and China to resolve these issues with an outcome that is WTO-compliant. We continue to raise our concerns with partners.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4169", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Viscount Younger of Leckie"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-21T11:08:26.47Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "202"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Trade"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Trade"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "China: USA"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the trade dispute between the United States and China; and of the effect of that dispute on global markets.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1796", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Taylor of Warwick"} ], "uin" : "HL15568"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1124630", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1124630/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Student Loans Company (SLC) carries out investigations where fraud is suspected, as well as sample checks to identify possible fraud. The SLC accesses a wide range of publicly available information for the purposes of verifying a customer\u2019s eligibility and detecting and preventing fraud, and this may include publicly available social media content. The SLC only accesses information that is in the public domain; it does not use information sourced from social media in isolation to make a determination on a case; and it does not conduct ongoing monitoring or surveillance of students\u2019 social media.<\/p>
<\/p>
The SLC provides a privacy notice to all students during their application for finance, which is also available on the SLC\u2019s website. This notice sets out how students\u2019 personal information is processed and used by the company, including that both the information provided by the student during their application and publicly available information, such as that on social media and other public platforms, may be used to detect, investigate and prevent crime including fraud.<\/p>
<\/p>
The SLC is also in the final stages of drafting a social media acceptable use policy, which covers all aspects of the company\u2019s social media use. This policy is due to be published on the SLC\u2019s website next month.<\/p>
<\/p>
The policy covers any publicly available social media platform. Currently, the SLC accesses publicly available content on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.<\/p>
<\/p>
The policy will be reviewed at least annually or more often if business requirements, legislation, or regulations change.<\/p>
<\/p>
In 2018-19, the SLC investigated 3,829 cases in relation to potential application fraud (out of a total of 2.8 million applicants and students). A further 5,289 cases were investigated in relation to repayment evasion (out of a total 5.7 million repayers). As part of the process for both preventing application fraud and eliminating repayment evasion, investigators may review publicly available information, such as that on social media and other public platforms. This does not occur in every investigation.<\/p>
<\/p>
To date in financial year (FY) 2019-20, and in FY 2018-19, no individuals received compensation or redress from the SLC as a result of wrongful decisions by the SLC's Counter Fraud Team. In FY 2017-18, one individual received an ex-gratia payment of £100.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4169", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Viscount Younger of Leckie"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL15499"} , {"_value" : "HL15500"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-13T16:50:45.06Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Students: Loans"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what is the current policy of the Student Loans Company on the surveillance of students\u2019 social media; (2) whether any such policy is publicly available; (3) which social media platforms may fall under this policy; and (4) what measures are in place to oversee this policy.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3842", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Garden of Frognal"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Garden of Frognal"} ], "uin" : "HL15498"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1124631", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1124631/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Student Loans Company (SLC) carries out investigations where fraud is suspected, as well as sample checks to identify possible fraud. The SLC accesses a wide range of publicly available information for the purposes of verifying a customer\u2019s eligibility and detecting and preventing fraud, and this may include publicly available social media content. The SLC only accesses information that is in the public domain; it does not use information sourced from social media in isolation to make a determination on a case; and it does not conduct ongoing monitoring or surveillance of students\u2019 social media.<\/p>
<\/p>
The SLC provides a privacy notice to all students during their application for finance, which is also available on the SLC\u2019s website. This notice sets out how students\u2019 personal information is processed and used by the company, including that both the information provided by the student during their application and publicly available information, such as that on social media and other public platforms, may be used to detect, investigate and prevent crime including fraud.<\/p>
<\/p>
The SLC is also in the final stages of drafting a social media acceptable use policy, which covers all aspects of the company\u2019s social media use. This policy is due to be published on the SLC\u2019s website next month.<\/p>
<\/p>
The policy covers any publicly available social media platform. Currently, the SLC accesses publicly available content on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.<\/p>
<\/p>
The policy will be reviewed at least annually or more often if business requirements, legislation, or regulations change.<\/p>
<\/p>
In 2018-19, the SLC investigated 3,829 cases in relation to potential application fraud (out of a total of 2.8 million applicants and students). A further 5,289 cases were investigated in relation to repayment evasion (out of a total 5.7 million repayers). As part of the process for both preventing application fraud and eliminating repayment evasion, investigators may review publicly available information, such as that on social media and other public platforms. This does not occur in every investigation.<\/p>
<\/p>
To date in financial year (FY) 2019-20, and in FY 2018-19, no individuals received compensation or redress from the SLC as a result of wrongful decisions by the SLC's Counter Fraud Team. In FY 2017-18, one individual received an ex-gratia payment of £100.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4169", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Viscount Younger of Leckie"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL15498"} , {"_value" : "HL15500"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-13T16:50:45.107Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Students: Loans"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government how many individuals' social media accounts the Student Loans Company has surveilled as part of its approach to combatting fraud.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3842", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Garden of Frognal"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Garden of Frognal"} ], "uin" : "HL15499"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1124632", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1124632/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Student Loans Company (SLC) carries out investigations where fraud is suspected, as well as sample checks to identify possible fraud. The SLC accesses a wide range of publicly available information for the purposes of verifying a customer\u2019s eligibility and detecting and preventing fraud, and this may include publicly available social media content. The SLC only accesses information that is in the public domain; it does not use information sourced from social media in isolation to make a determination on a case; and it does not conduct ongoing monitoring or surveillance of students\u2019 social media.<\/p>
<\/p>
The SLC provides a privacy notice to all students during their application for finance, which is also available on the SLC\u2019s website. This notice sets out how students\u2019 personal information is processed and used by the company, including that both the information provided by the student during their application and publicly available information, such as that on social media and other public platforms, may be used to detect, investigate and prevent crime including fraud.<\/p>
<\/p>
The SLC is also in the final stages of drafting a social media acceptable use policy, which covers all aspects of the company\u2019s social media use. This policy is due to be published on the SLC\u2019s website next month.<\/p>
<\/p>
The policy covers any publicly available social media platform. Currently, the SLC accesses publicly available content on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.<\/p>
<\/p>
The policy will be reviewed at least annually or more often if business requirements, legislation, or regulations change.<\/p>
<\/p>
In 2018-19, the SLC investigated 3,829 cases in relation to potential application fraud (out of a total of 2.8 million applicants and students). A further 5,289 cases were investigated in relation to repayment evasion (out of a total 5.7 million repayers). As part of the process for both preventing application fraud and eliminating repayment evasion, investigators may review publicly available information, such as that on social media and other public platforms. This does not occur in every investigation.<\/p>
<\/p>
To date in financial year (FY) 2019-20, and in FY 2018-19, no individuals received compensation or redress from the SLC as a result of wrongful decisions by the SLC's Counter Fraud Team. In FY 2017-18, one individual received an ex-gratia payment of £100.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4169", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Viscount Younger of Leckie"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL15498"} , {"_value" : "HL15499"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-13T16:50:45.153Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Students: Loans"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government how many individuals have received compensation or redress from the Student Loans Company as a result of wrongful decisions under its approach to combatting fraud.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3842", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Garden of Frognal"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Garden of Frognal"} ], "uin" : "HL15500"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1124413", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Trade"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1124413/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Construction fair taking place in Erbil in June (26 June \u2013 29 June) is advertised as a \u2018Made in Iraq\u2019 fair, so consequently will attract primarily local dealers and contractors, and we are not aware of any UK firms planning to attend.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Erbil International Trade Fair (30 Sept - 03 Oct) is the biggest international multi-sector trade fair organised in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. UK companies that attend the Fair are likely to decide to participate closer to the time, though are more likely to participate as delegates or visitors rather than as exhibitors. In previous years, the local distributors of JLR and JCB have exhibited.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4169", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Viscount Younger of Leckie"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-16T15:42:22.607Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "202"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Trade"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Trade"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Trade Fairs: Iraq"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government how many UK construction and professional firms they expect to attend the Erbil International Fair in northern Iraq in June.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2018", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hylton"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hylton"} ], "uin" : "HL15462"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1124042", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Trade"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1124042/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "