Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Trade between NI and rest of UK

Wednesday 22 June 2022 · 9 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government introduced legislation to allow businesses to trade freely between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
  • The proposed legislation aims to avoid a hard border and protect the integrity of the UK and the EU single market.
  • Government will work closely with businesses to address their needs and ensure the provisions in the Northern Ireland Protocol benefit them.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Caroline Ansell Con
Northern Ireland Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The question arises from concerns about the impact of the Northern Ireland protocol on free trade within the UK.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support businesses trading between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We have introduced legislation that will allow businesses to trade freely again. We continue to operate standstill arrangements, providing reassurance for business.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps and timelines are not provided.

How: We Cannot Allow The Northern Ireland Protocol To Continue

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Q2 Nicholas Fletcher
Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

The MP believes that ensuring free trade within the UK Union is critical.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that trade between our Union is of the utmost importance and that we should do all we can in this place to make sure it is not hindered in any way?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

Absolutely, the Government are committed to Northern Ireland's integral place in the United Kingdom. The proposed legislation will fix practical problems and avoid a hard border, protecting the integrity of the UK and safeguarding the EU single market.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific measures or timelines mentioned.

How: Absolutely—The Government Are Steadfastly Committed

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Q3 James Davies Con
Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

The MP raises concerns about the impact of current trade restrictions on businesses, using Snowdonia Cheese Company as an example.

Question

Businesses based in Great Britain tell me that while it is possible for them to trade with Northern Ireland, doing so can be very involved, costly and restrictive. Will my right hon. Friend confirm how businesses like Snowdonia Cheese stand to benefit from the provisions in the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

The proposed legislation will enable businesses to trade freely once again by delivering new green and red lane arrangements, removing unnecessary costs and work while ensuring necessary checks are done.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific benefits for Snowdonia Cheese Company mentioned.

How: My Hon. Friend Makes An Important Point

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Q4 Alexander Stafford
Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

The MP seeks assurance that the Government will continue to work closely with businesses to address their needs in relation to trade within the UK.

Question

Will the Secretary of State confirm that the Government will continue to work closely with businesses to ensure that we address all their needs, so that trade with Northern Ireland and Rother Valley boom?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We will continue to work closely with businesses. The secondary legislative powers in the Bill are to flesh out precise technical details, working with business to ensure our solutions work and deliver for them and Northern Ireland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific engagement plans or dates mentioned.

How: Absolutely. My Hon. Friend Is Right.

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Q5 Caroline Ansell Con
Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

The MP inquires about Northern Ireland's position to benefit from UK spaceport procurements.

Question

Given Northern Ireland's expertise and strength in the manufacture of spacecraft components, can my right hon. Friend assure me that when it comes to procurement, businesses in Northern Ireland are as well placed as any to bid for these—I cannot resist this—stellar opportunities?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

Northern Ireland has expertise in advanced engineering, manufacturing and aerospace. We take measures to ensure that businesses across the UK can benefit, predominantly those in Northern Ireland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific procurement measures mentioned.

How: My Hon. Friend Is Always Fired On Rocket-Powered Fuel When Asking Direct Questions

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Q6 Claire Hanna Social Democratic & Labour Party Belfast South and Mid Down
Northern Ireland Parliamentary Procedure Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP raises concerns about the legal compatibility of the Bill with the Good Friday agreement.

Question

The Government claim that their protocol Bill is designed to protect the Good Friday agreement, while being in the middle of a demolition derby of its core values, creating regression and polarisation that will take us years to fix. What legal advice has he received and what representations has he made to Cabinet colleagues about the compatibility of the Bill of Rights and the 1998 agreement?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

I have made the point several times at the Dispatch Box over the past couple of years that we must ensure protection for all three strands. I hope she will support the Bill which seeks to fix challenges and restore primacy.

Not addressed: Legal advice not addressed, focused on supporting the bill instead.

How: The Hon. Lady Is Absolutely Right

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Q7 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Northern Ireland Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The MP provides an example of a business disrupted by the protocol and asks for a specific timeline.

Question

The latest business to report disruption is a photo-framing company in Newtownards whose supplier cancelled its order. The Government must do the right thing and restore our position, not just constitutionally but financially for businesses. Will the Secretary of State give a date for the withdrawal Bill's Second Reading?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

I cannot confirm the exact date, but we are committed to resolving protocol problems, restoring Belfast/Good Friday agreement primacy and sovereignty for the whole UK. We want strand 1 reformed as soon as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific date given.

How: I Am Sure That The Hon. Gentleman Will Appreciate

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Q8 Angus MacNeil SNP
Economy Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The question is prompted by concerns about the economic consequences of leaving the EU, particularly in relation to trade and GDP. It highlights that Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK recording growth and suggests a positive correlation with its unique position under the protocol.

Question

Even a fool now knows that Brexit has damaged UK trade and GDP, but do the Government have any assessment of the GDP gain and the benefit to business that the protocol has given Northern Ireland, especially as it is the only part of the UK outside London to record growth, and the only part of the UK inside the single market? It is no coincidence that it has seen growth.

Answer from Brandon Lewis

I am sure that if the hon. Gentleman does a bit of research, he will see that it is actually quite a complicated picture. It is good to see Northern Ireland growing back quickly: with a larger proportion of the economy in Northern Ireland based on the public sector, and with the phenomenal support that the Chancellor has put in, that is to be welcomed. We want to see Northern Ireland's economy growing; it was struggling before covid. We are making sure to put that support in, but I have to say that that would be even easier were it not for the protocol, which is preventing some of the Chancellor's measures from benefiting the people of Northern Ireland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assessment of GDP gain and benefits to business due to the protocol in Northern Ireland

How: Complicated Picture

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Q9 Simon Hoare Con North Dorset
Northern Ireland
Context

The question is prompted by the recognition that much policy affecting and benefiting business is devolved. It suggests that restoring full functionality to the Northern Ireland Assembly would be the best form of support for local businesses.

Question

Given that so much policy that affects and benefits business is devolved, is not the best support that politicians of all stripes could give Northern Irish business to get Stormont back up and running?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We all want to see Stormont back up and running. It is important that we see all the Ministers back with their full powers. We have caretaker Ministers in place now, thanks to legislation that we passed recently, but having Stormont making spending decisions, getting money out the door and supporting businesses and people in Northern Ireland is the right thing to do.

Answered
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