Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 6
6
The Department has not done enough to support effective Parliamentary scrutiny of trade agreements.
Conclusion
The Department has not done enough to support effective Parliamentary scrutiny of trade agreements. Despite the Department making additional commitments beyond the statutory framework, the International Trade Committee has not been provided with information from the Department in sufficient time to enable it to perform its scrutiny function effectively. For example, although the Department shared the final agreement with Australia three months ahead of the statutory process for Parliamentary scrutiny, this still makes it difficult for that Committee to consider and produce a report for Parliament in time for it to have an impact. It would also be easier for Parliament to scrutinise trade agreements if it had sight of the negotiating objectives at the outset. There is a precedent in Parliament where government has provided privileged information to the Committee and to other select committees. The House of Lords International Agreements Committee has also called for Parliament to have a stronger formal role earlier in the process and for provision of the agreement text prior to signature. Recommendation: The Department should make further commitments that would support robust and timely Parliamentary scrutiny. These should include providing the International Trade Committee and the House of Lords International Agreement Committee with the negotiating objectives, under privileged access, at the outset of the negotiations, providing oral updates at regular points on a trusted basis, and sharing any other key information in sufficient time for scrutiny. Progress with trade negotiations 9 1 The trade negotiations programme
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
6: PAC conclusion: The Department has not done enough to support effective Parliamentary scrutiny of trade agreements. 6: PAC recommendation: The Department should make further commitments that would support robust and timely Parliamentary scrutiny. These should include providing the International Trade Committee and the House of Lords International Agreement Committee with the negotiating objectives, under privileged access, at the outset of the negotiations, providing oral updates at regular points on a trusted basis, and sharing any other key information in sufficient time for scrutiny. 6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 6.2 The government publishes, and provides to the relevant select committees, its strategic approach to each new FTA at the outset of negotiations; this includes negotiation objectives. This is published alongside the response to the public call for input, and an initial scoping assessment. The government remains committed to sharing these documents with the relevant select committees in advance of publication where time allows. 6.3 Furthermore, the government provides oral updates to the relevant select committees and is happy to reiterate its offer to make Chief Negotiators available to brief the committees in private should they wish. In 2021, the department’s ministers and senior officials briefed the International Trade Committee on 17 occasions, six of these times specifically focussed on Australia and New Zealand FTA negotiations. The government always endeavours to share relevant information with the Committees where possible, whilst being mindful of the need to protect UK negotiating interests and the Department’s negotiating partners’ legitimate expectations of confidentiality. 6.4 Nonetheless, the government will continue to review arrangements, ensuring they remain fit for purpose.