Conclusion 3

When inquiring into a prospective free trade agreement, we intend to adopt the International Trade Committee’s targeted, thematic model, to examine the Government’s negotiating objectives. In most cases, we would expect to publish a report setting out our assessment of the implications of a proposed agreement, and to seek a debate on those negotiating objectives. That approach would offer a chance for the Committee—or indeed the House—to influence the content of free trade agreements. We believe that would be more productive than exhaustive textual scrutiny of an agreement that has been finalised and signed, and when no scope for influence or manoeuvre remains.