Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Northern Ireland Protocol: Trade with Great Britain

Wednesday 21 April 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 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Patricia Gibson inquired about steps to minimize disruption in medical supplies under the Northern Ireland Protocol, to which the response highlighted intensive work with the European Commission to resolve issues.
  • Patricia Gibson also questioned what steps the Government would take to replace the protocol to fully restore Northern Ireland's place within the UK internal market, receiving a response emphasizing a pragmatic, flexible approach to protect the Good Friday agreement.
  • Jeffrey M. Donaldson asked about measures to ensure the free flow of medicines into Northern Ireland, with the response confirming ongoing work with EU partners to ensure access to market.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patricia Gibson SNP
Northern Ireland
Context

Pharmaceutical manufacturers expect to withdraw up to 90% of medicines sent to Northern Ireland from the UK due to new costs and red tape, as stated by Lord Frost.

Question

Pharmaceutical manufacturers and industry leaders are expected to withdraw up to 90% of medicines sent to Northern Ireland from the UK. What steps do you plan to minimise disruption in medical supplies?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We are working intensively with the European Commission, specifically Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič and Lord Frost, on addressing the medicines issue. We aim to resolve difficult issues in partnership with the EU to ensure a resolution that works for the whole of the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete actions or timeline for resolving medicine supply disruptions

How: Working Intensively, Difficult Issues

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Q2 Patricia Gibson SNP
Northern Ireland
Context

The Northern Ireland protocol causes difficulties for consumers and businesses.

Question

What steps will the Government take to replace this protocol with arrangements that fully restore Northern Ireland's place within the UK internal market?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We are determined to resolve outstanding issues from a pragmatic, flexible approach. We aim to restore confidence across communities and protect the Good Friday agreement while working with EU partners through Lord Frost.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete measures or timeline for replacing the protocol

How: Pragmatic, Flexible Way, Outstanding Issues

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Q3 Jeffrey M. Donaldson DUP
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

Potential difficulties with the supply of medicines as a result of the protocol.

Question

What measures will ensure free flow of medicines into Northern Ireland, preventing disadvantage in accessing pharmaceutical products?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We continue to work intensively with EU partners and are committed to ensuring Northern Ireland's access to market. We will take necessary actions, as outlined in the protocol recitals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete measures or timeline for ensuring free flow of medicines

How: Intensively, Necessary Actions

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Q4 Jeffrey M. Donaldson DUP
Policing & Resources Northern Ireland Community Security
Context

Anonymous social media accounts are used to exploit and inflame tensions, luring young people into protests.

Question

Will the Secretary of State work with police to clarify that social media giants have a responsibility to prevent their platforms from being exploited for tension?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We are taking this forward and working with social media companies, as outlined last week. We highlight the risks of social media and encourage awareness among users.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete steps or timeline for addressing social media responsibility

How: Taking This Forward, Risks Of Social Media

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Q5 Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd
Northern Ireland
Context

Concern over the impact of the Northern Ireland protocol on levels of trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Question

What recent assessment has your Department made about the effect of the Northern Ireland protocol on trade levels?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

Freight flow has returned to normal. We are monitoring and assessing, including potential changes in trade patterns. Temporary steps were taken to prevent disruption to goods flows, ensuring space for discussions on protocol implementation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific assessment with concrete data or timeline

How: Monitoring And Assessing, Temporary Steps

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

The Social Democratic and Labour party expressed concern over the PSNI officer's experience with warped throwbacks. The issue of sanitary and phytosanitary checks is a tricky internal matter for the Conservative party.

Question

We appreciate that sanitary and phytosanitary checks are a tricky issue internally for the Conservative party, but as the person in government in charge of speaking up for Northern Ireland, has the Secretary of State personally articulated to his Cabinet colleagues how the UK-EU veterinary and SPS arrangements could address the frictions in trade? Has he directly asked them to put the interests of Northern Ireland ahead of a theoretical power to diverge that the UK does not look as if it is going to use any time soon?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

I appreciate the hon. Lady's comments as, I am sure, does the PSNI. Obviously, I am always making the case in the UK Government for the best outcome for people in Northern Ireland, and it is right that Northern Ireland is an integral part of the United Kingdom in terms of trade. As I have said, SPS checks in one form or another, recognising the single epidemiological unit and biosecurity of the island of Ireland, have been in place since about the 19th century. We must ensure that we have a proper, pragmatic, flexible, free flow of goods, so that a consumer in Northern Ireland is able to have the same experience as a member of the United Kingdom anywhere in the United Kingdom. We are determined to ensure that we deliver that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about articulating SPS arrangements and prioritizing Northern Ireland's interests was not directly addressed with concrete details or commitments.

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