Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

East-West Business Council

Wednesday 28 February 2024 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government are working to establish an east-west business council to deepen connections between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
  • The Scottish Government will play a full part in these arrangements, respecting the devolution settlement.
  • The Minister agrees that Northern Ireland Members play a crucial role in improving understanding between the EU and the UK.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steven Bonnar
Business & Trade
Context

The proposed east-west business council aims to deepen connections between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK in key areas like trade, transport, education, and culture.

Question

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the proposed east-west business council?

Answer from Steven Baker

The Government are working to establish an east-west business council, fulfilling our pledge to identify opportunities for deepening connections between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK in areas such as trade, transport, education and culture. I shall be in regular contact with other Ministers across Government to ensure timely delivery.

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Q2 Steven Bonnar
Northern Ireland Scotland
Context

The Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence estimated that 80% of Northern Irish freight exports to England come through Scotland, highlighting the importance of Scottish involvement.

Question

I thank the Minister for his answer. The Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence has estimated that 80% of Northern Irish freight exports to England come through Scotland, while a considerable proportion of NI trade with Britain is direct trade between the north of Ireland and Scotland. Given this, what concrete role does he see, or propose, for the Scottish Government on the new East-West Council?

Answer from Steven Baker

The Government of Scotland have their rights and are entitled to be part of these arrangements, and we shall be respectful in engaging with the Scottish Government to ensure they play a full part, fully respecting the devolution settlement.

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Q3 Oliver Heald Con
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

Members of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly play a key role in improving understanding between the EU and the UK about how the trade and co-operation agreement should work.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Northern Ireland Members of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, including the right hon. Member for Lagan Valley (Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson), play a very important role in improving understanding between the EU and the UK about the way in which the trade and co-operation agreement should work, and in easing the way for a better relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union?

Answer from Steven Baker

I do agree with my right hon. and learned Friend. I pay tribute to him for the leading role he plays in that forum, and a large number of colleagues have put effort into building up bonds of friendship under the trade and co-operation agreement.

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Q4 Richard Thomson
Northern Ireland Scotland
Context

The East-West Council potentially opens up a space for co-operation between Scotland and Northern Ireland on common issues.

Question

The East-West Council, as proposed, is something that I am personally very enthusiastic about, because it potentially opens up a space in which Scotland and Northern Ireland can co-operate, along with other parts of the UK, on all that they have in common economically, socially and culturally. Will the ministerial team at the Northern Ireland Office agree to meet me, so we can discuss how Scotland could play a positive role in that?

Answer from Steven Baker

Yes, of course. We would be delighted to meet the hon. Member to discuss those matters.

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