Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Northern Ireland Protocol

Wednesday 20 January 2021 · 6 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial assessment of the Northern Ireland protocol implementation indicates a pragmatic and proportionate approach, protecting market access for Northern Ireland businesses.
  • The Secretary of State stated that queues are not an issue in Northern Ireland, attributing empty shelves to challenges at Dover and the Dover straits due to covid.
  • The Government is working with businesses to address groupage issues and is encouraging industry engagement with the Trader Support Service and the Movement Assistance Scheme.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Northern Ireland
Context

The question arises from issues in the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol, impacting businesses and supply chains. Empty shelves have been reported in Belfast due to border challenges.

Question

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

A pragmatic and proportionate approach has been taken to implementing the Northern Ireland protocol, protecting unfettered access to the whole of the UK market for Northern Ireland businesses. Initial issues are being addressed in consultation with businesses. The protocol's operation reflects Northern Ireland's unique circumstances.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the specific adequacy of implementation or provide a timeline for addressing initial issues.

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Q2 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Northern Ireland
Context

There are reports of queues, empty shelves, and new customs declarations due to the Northern Ireland protocol. Businesses lack preparation time.

Question

Can the Secretary of State categorically say when there will be seamless movement of goods across the border?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

I am not quite sure what the hon. Lady is referring to, because what she describes is not what is happening in Northern Ireland; queues are not the issue. There have been issues with empty shelves partly due to challenges at Dover and the Dover straits just before Christmas due to covid.

Not addressed: Changed subject to other supply chain issues without addressing border checks or providing a date for seamless movement of goods.

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Q3 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Northern Ireland
Context

The Road Haulage Association warned of supply chain collapse. Businesses face financial losses due to border issues.

Question

Will the Government listen to the Northern Ireland logistics sector and take urgent action?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We are working with the industry on some of the issues it is facing. I encourage businesses to engage with the Trader Support Service and the Movement Assistance Scheme so they understand their ability to flow products into Northern Ireland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to urgent action but provided encouragement for engagement with support services.

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Q4 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

Issues with groupage and border crossings affect businesses in Northern Ireland. Scottish hauliers also face difficulties.

Question

How will the Secretary of State resolve groupage issues and disruption causing difficulty for businesses?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We are working through all those issues with businesses, including ensuring that Great Britain businesses are signed up to the Trader Support Service and the Movement Assistance Scheme so they understand their ability to flow products into Northern Ireland. It is just a shame that the Scottish nationalists decided to vote against it.

Not addressed: Changed subject to criticism of Scottish nationalists without addressing groupage issues or providing a resolution plan.

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Q5 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

The question arises due to concerns over additional tariffs on aerospace raw materials in Northern Ireland, affecting the local economy which has £1.9 billion-worth of annual activity.

Question

I thank the Secretary of State for the considered engagement he has had over the past seven to 10 days on the issue of steel. The aerospace sector is crucial to my constituency and the wider Northern Ireland economy, contributing £1.9 billion annually. ADS highlights a concern about tariffs on raw materials deemed at risk for the aerospace sector, yet these materials can leave Northern Ireland tariff-free under the airworthiness agreement. I seek the Secretary of State's commitment to address this issue.

Answer from Brandon Lewis

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising this issue and acknowledge his long-standing support for Northern Ireland's aerospace sector. We have made it clear that there should be no tariffs on internal UK trade, utilising waivers and reimbursements to minimise impacts on business. I am happy to engage directly with him and colleagues on this matter. Additionally, we have pledged £1.95 billion in R&D funding through 2026 and allocated £125 million for the Future Flight Challenge.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not specifically address the issue regarding tariffs on raw materials under the airworthiness agreement.

How: Under Review, Will Engage

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Q6 Claire Hanna Social Democratic & Labour Party Belfast South and Mid Down
Northern Ireland Foreign Affairs
Context

The question is prompted by a lack of EU framework meetings between the UK and Ireland, raising concerns about alternative structures for engagement on issues such as the Northern Ireland protocol.

Question

I thank the Secretary of State for his remarks regarding Edwin Poots. Given that formal EU frameworks no longer apply to our engagements with the Irish Government, has the Secretary considered using platforms like the British-Irish Council or the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference more effectively?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

I thank the hon. Lady for her comments on Edwin Poots and have communicated with him today, reaffirming his commitment to the people of Northern Ireland during his recovery. The Irish Government shares a strong friendship and partnership with the UK as do Prime Minister and Taoiseach. We regularly engage with Simon Coveney and conduct quad meetings involving relevant Ministers from both sides.

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not address how alternative structures like the British-Irish Council or Conference can be used effectively moving forward.

How: Talks About Existing Engagements

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