Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK Ports of Entry

Thursday 5 March 2020 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mary Glindon inquired about discussions with Cabinet colleagues regarding the preparedness of UK ports for international trade post-transition period.
  • Mary Glindon asked if virtual free ports would be considered in the free ports bidding process to protect and create jobs in the north-east.
  • The Minister responded positively to considering the virtual free ports concept during the consultation period for free port policies.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mary Glindon Lab Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

No specific incident or statistic is mentioned, but the question is prompted by concerns about UK's readiness to handle international trade after leaving the EU transition period.

Question

What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the preparedness of UK ports of entry to facilitate international trade after the transition period.

Answer from Greg Hands

We are using the transition period to ensure that the UK rises to the challenges of leaving the European Union while being ready to take advantage of all the benefits. Work on ports preparedness is being led by the Cabinet Office's border delivery group. I remind the House and onlookers that tonight is the closure of our consultation on the new UK global tariff.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific details about recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues or concrete plans for port preparedness.

How: Using General Statements, Reminding About Unrelated Consultations

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Q2 Mary Glindon Lab Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
Business & Trade
Context

The question is prompted by a desire to ensure that virtual free port concepts are considered during the free ports bidding process, aiming to protect existing jobs and create new ones.

Question

Can the Minister ensure that virtual free ports will be considered during the free ports bidding process, so that we can protect existing jobs in the north-east as well as creating new ones?

Answer from Greg Hands

The hon. Member makes an extremely good point, and that is one of the points of the free port policy. We launched the consultation last month with the Command Paper, and it closes on 20 April. It would not be proper for me to make comments specifically about the location of future free ports, but the Tyne port in particular is very important to this country, as it is the second largest vehicle port in the nation. Free ports are designed to support jobs, trade and investment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer acknowledges the importance of the issue but does not provide a specific commitment regarding virtual free ports or their consideration during the bidding process.

How: General Acknowledgment, Reminding About Consultation Period

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