All 4 Debates between Andrew Selous and Chris Heaton-Harris

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Debate between Andrew Selous and Chris Heaton-Harris
Wednesday 22nd November 2023

(4 months, 1 week ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jonathan Gullis Portrait Jonathan Gullis (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Con)
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6. What recent discussions he has had with businesses in Northern Ireland on the implementation of the Windsor framework.

Chris Heaton-Harris Portrait The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Chris Heaton-Harris)
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Yesterday was the 49th anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings that killed 21 people and injured 182—the deadliest act of terrorism in England during the troubles. At this juncture, we should remember those who lost their lives, and in this 25th year of the Belfast/Good Friday agreement it is important to remind ourselves of the progress that has been made since 1998.

I recently attended a roundtable with the Northern Ireland Institute of Directors, and I meet regularly with Northern Ireland businesses to discuss a whole range of issues, including the Windsor framework. Officials across the UK Government are also in regular contact with businesses about implementation of the framework. We have continued the ongoing implementation of the Windsor framework, rolling out the first phase of the green lane on 1 October, cutting red tape and lifting bans on everyday products.

Andrew Selous Portrait Andrew Selous
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I very much welcome the Secretary of State’s commitment to businesses in Northern Ireland. Could he tell the House how many of them are now registered with the UK internal market scheme?

Chris Heaton-Harris Portrait Chris Heaton-Harris
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I am happy to confirm that more than 7,000 businesses have now registered with the UK internal market scheme, of which over 3,000 are businesses that did not benefit from the previous schemes. All of those businesses can now move their goods free from any costly issues and tariffs. In the future, businesses registered under the scheme will also be able to avoid completing customs declarations as we continue implementation of the Windsor framework.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Selous and Chris Heaton-Harris
Wednesday 21st June 2023

(9 months, 1 week ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chris Heaton-Harris Portrait Chris Heaton-Harris
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I can do that, 100%. The hon. Gentleman is completely right.

Andrew Selous Portrait Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con)
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9. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to promote Northern Ireland businesses overseas.

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Debate between Andrew Selous and Chris Heaton-Harris
Wednesday 9th November 2022

(1 year, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrew Selous Portrait Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con)
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9. What steps he is taking to help improve the Northern Ireland protocol.

Chris Heaton-Harris Portrait The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Chris Heaton-Harris)
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The Government are engaging in constructive dialogue with the European Union to find solutions to the issues caused by the protocol. We are also proceeding with legislation that aims to fix the practical problems that the protocol has created in Northern Ireland in the event of our being unable to reach our preferred negotiated solution.

Andrew Selous Portrait Andrew Selous
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The trader support service has helped thousands of businesses in Northern Ireland to navigate the way in which goods move under the protocol. How will this very important service be funded over the next year?

Chris Heaton-Harris Portrait Chris Heaton-Harris
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Both the trader support service and the movement assistance scheme provide support to traders moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. By the end of this year we will have spent £340 million helping traders to process 2.3 million customs declarations through the trader support service for trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but we very much hope that we can find a negotiated solution to the protocol issues that will mean we do not have to spend this money in the future.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Selous and Chris Heaton-Harris
Tuesday 8th September 2015

(8 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chris Heaton-Harris Portrait Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con)
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T8. Last week, the Youth Justice Board announced that the contractor running the Rainsbrook secure training centre in my constituency will change shortly. What discussions has the Minister had to help to ensure that the centre and its staff have a smooth and timely transition to the new contractor?

Andrew Selous Portrait Andrew Selous
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We obviously share my hon. Friend’s concerns about what happened at Rainsbrook. There was a rigorous inspection. There will be a further inspection and we will make absolutely sure that the new contractor maintains the highest possible standards.