House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Transparency and Scrutiny Arrangements with the International Trade Committee and the International Agreements Sub-Committee for the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
12 October 2020 · Department for International Trade
Proposed by Elizabeth Truss Con South West Norfolk
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- Transparency and scrutiny arrangements will be implemented for future trade agreements, including the UK-Japan CEPA.
- The International Trade Committee and the International Agreements Sub-Committee will receive future trade agreements before they are laid in Parliament.
- Each committee will have at least 10 sitting days to review the agreements confidentially, with a full impact assessment provided.
Issue summary
The statement outlines transparency and scrutiny arrangements for international trade deals, specifically focusing on the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Action requested
The government is sharing future trade agreements with the International Trade Committee in the House of Commons and the International Agreements Sub-Committee in the House of Lords before being laid in Parliament. The committees will have at least 10 sitting days to review these confidentially, and a full impact assessment will be provided.
Key facts
- UK-Japan CEPA is set to be signed shortly.
- The government published objectives and scoping assessments for the agreement during negotiations.
- A Trade and Agriculture Commission has been established to advise on future trade policy.
- Future trade agreements will be shared with relevant committees in advance of Parliamentary scrutiny under CRaG.
- Committees have at least 10 sitting days to review agreements confidentially.
- An explanatory memorandum along with the final agreement text will be laid in Parliament for 21 sitting days after negotiations end.