Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Promoting Trade with Northern Ireland

Wednesday 6 March 2024 · 2 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Gregory Campbell asked the Minister about discussions with Cabinet colleagues on promoting trade between Scotland and Northern Ireland.
  • The Minister mentioned the establishment of the East-West Council to identify and maximize trade opportunities.
  • The Minister highlighted the UK Government's commitment to establishing Intertrade UK to help businesses in Scotland and Northern Ireland prosper.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Northern Ireland Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The situation involves promoting trade links between Scotland and Northern Ireland, with a recent restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive.

Question

Whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on promoting trade between Scotland and Northern Ireland. What measures are being taken to maximise these opportunities?

Answer from Alister Jack

I am pleased to say that I have had discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland about maximising trade links, now that the Northern Ireland Executive have been restored. What is more, the UK Government have committed to establishing the East-West Council, which will identify opportunities for deepening connections between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, including the scope for extending the Northern Ireland investment zone benefits to Stranraer and Cairnryan.

Answered
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Q2 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Northern Ireland Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The context involves ensuring that Scottish business bodies are aware of new Intertrade UK body and seeing improvements in business trade flows within six months.

Question

Will the Minister ensure that business bodies in Scotland are fully aware of, for example, the new Intertrade UK body so that business can prosper between Northern Ireland and Scotland? Importantly, will he ensure that people can see the improvement in business trade flows between Scotland and Northern Ireland in six months' time, as compared with six months ago?

Answer from Alister Jack

As set out in the Command Paper, the UK Government are working to establish Intertrade UK, which will fulfil our pledge to grow the economy by ensuring that businesses large and small can make the most of the east-west trading opportunities. Implementing the Windsor framework and the Command Paper are the Government's priorities, and we will provide an update in close time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked for an update within six months on improvements in business trade flows, but the answer did not address this timeframe or commitment to a specific timeline.

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