Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

CPTPP: Ratification

Thursday 30 November 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions addressed the planned timetable for CPTPP ratification.
  • The UK aims to be the first European country to ratify the CPTPP next year.
  • Concerns were raised about investor-state dispute settlement procedures restricting regulatory autonomy.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Martin McDonnell Lab Hayes and Harlington
Business & Trade
Context

MP inquires about the timeline for CPTPP ratification, emphasizing its significance for British businesses and consumers.

Question

What her planned timetable is for the ratification of the comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-Pacific partnership. We are the first European country to join the CPTPP, and I know how powerful it will be for British businesses and consumers, which is why this Government are progressing legislation as quickly as possible.

Answer from Greg Hands

We are working at pace to ratify the CPTPP, which we hope to bring into force next year. We are the first European country to join the CPTPP, and I know how powerful it will be for British businesses and consumers, which is why this Government are progressing legislation as quickly as possible, with Second Reading of the Bill having taken place in the other place on 21 November.

Answered
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Q2 John Martin McDonnell Lab Hayes and Harlington
Business & Trade
Context

MP raises concerns about the inclusion of ISDS procedures within treaties, which restricts UK's regulatory autonomy. He suggests a side letter to exclude such procedures.

Question

Across the House, over a period of time, Members working with organisations such as the Trade Justice Movement have expressed concern about the inclusion of investor-state dispute settlement procedures within treaties, because they restrict our own country's ability to regulate. I raised that issue in September and suggested that, as the Government have done with Australia and New Zealand, we agree in a separate letter that the settlement procedure will not be included in this treaty.

Answer from Greg Hands

It is good to be sparring with the right hon. Gentleman again from the Dispatch Box—we have both had a few ups and downs since we last went head to head. CPTPP does not compromise the UK's right to regulate at all; it expressly preserves the rights of states to regulate proportionately, fairly and in the public interest. It is worth reminding the House that the UK has never lost an ISDS case. Such procedures actually help to protect UK investments abroad.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for a side letter excluding ISDS procedure was not addressed directly.

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