Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Northern Ireland Protocol: Exceptions

Wednesday 7 September 2022 · 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 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Clause 15 of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill grants powers to exclude additional elements of the protocol and withdrawal agreement, subject to defined purposes.
  • The Secretary of State emphasizes the importance of working together to address the cost of living crisis affecting Northern Ireland.
  • The Secretary of State reaffirms the UK Government's preference for reaching a negotiated settlement with the EU over the protocol, while acknowledging the ongoing legislative process.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gavin Newlands SNP
Economy Northern Ireland
Context

Clause 15 of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill is being assessed for its impact on the economy.

Question

What assessment has been made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of clause 15 of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill on the (a) Northern Ireland and (b) UK economy?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

Clause 15 ensures that the Bill can fully meet its objectives by granting powers to make clear where additional elements of the protocol and withdrawal agreement are excluded, subject to carefully defined purposes. To ensure that that is done only if necessary to meet the Bill's objectives, that power is limited to a list of specified purposes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific economic impact assessment requested

How: Avoided Providing Specifics On Economic Impact

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Q2 Alan Brown SNP
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

Manufacturers in Northern Ireland rank trade arrangements as the least of their post-Brexit challenges, despite this, the government seems to be influenced by minority views.

Question

With increased exports, manufacturers in Northern Ireland rank trade arrangements as the least of their post-Brexit challenges. Despite these facts and ONS figures showing that the protocol has protected Northern Irish trade, will the Secretary of State abandon the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill and work constructively with the EU to prevent a trade war at this time of cost of living crisis?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

There is a point among all that I agree with: it is important that we work together across this House to sort out the cost of living crisis, which affects everybody, especially those in Northern Ireland. However, I humbly suggest to the hon. Gentleman that it is quite rich for the Scottish National party to try to interfere in Northern Irish business.

Not addressed: Did not address whether government will abandon bill or work with EU

How: Deflection By Criticising Snp

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Q3 Gavin Newlands SNP
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

During her leadership campaign, the new Prime Minister said she was determined to deliver the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill in full.

Question

Does the Government a) risk a trade war with the EU and its 500 million consumers; b) risk inflaming a potentially volatile situation in Northern Ireland; c) risk people's livelihoods and perhaps even lives in pursuit of a hard Brexit that has failed already; or d) all of the above, by ploughing on anyway?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

I think the hon. Gentleman missed the option of always putting the interests of Northern Ireland first, sorting out the problems of the protocol and getting a negotiated solution—and if not, legislating for one.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address risks mentioned in question

How: Provided Alternative Options But Did Not Confirm Or Deny Risks

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Q4 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Economy Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The Northern Ireland economy is reliant on goods and services flowing freely from the rest of the UK.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is vital for the future of the Northern Ireland economy that goods and services can flow freely from Northern Ireland to the rest of the United Kingdom and back to Northern Ireland?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

I can 100% agree with my hon. Friend. It is important that goods and services available in England, Scotland, and Wales are fully available in Northern Ireland and that goods and services can flow properly. The problems the protocol has put in place mean that this is not currently the case.

Answered
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Q5 Richard Thomson
Northern Ireland
Context

The protocol bill is still making its way through the House of Lords, despite opposition.

Question

Can the Secretary of State confirm whether it is still the preference of the UK Government to reach a negotiated settlement with the European Union over the protocol without having to apply the terms of the protocol Bill? If so, when does he plan to initiate those discussions?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

First, I thank the hon. Gentleman for welcoming me; I look forward to working with him. Secondly, yes, the new Prime Minister said at every single hustings that negotiation is preferred to sort out the protocol, but legislation will continue through its process.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline for initiating negotiations

How: Acknowledged Preference For Negotiation But Did Not Give A Timeline

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Q6 Oliver Heald Con
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly has identified a landing zone for an agreement.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree with me, as co-chair of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, that there is obviously a landing zone for an agreement? In his discussions with Northern Ireland political parties, can he press for and redouble efforts on discussions that yield a result in the interests of us all?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for his question. I believe that there is a fairly obvious landing zone for negotiations, and everything can be sorted out by negotiation; however, we have legislation in place if not.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm or deny efforts to reach an agreement through discussion with political parties

How: Acknowledged Landing Zone But Did Not Commit To Discussions

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