Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assurances have been given to the Government of Gibraltar on the (a) withdrawal agreement that the UK is negotiating with the EU and (b) framework for the UK's future relationship with the EU; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
As the Prime Minister said on Monday 22 October, following discussions with Spain and in close cooperation with the Government of Gibraltar, we have developed a protocol and set of underlying memoranda relating to Gibraltar. As set out in our White Paper, we will be seeking a future relationship for Gibraltar which appropriately reflects the particular characteristics and needs of the area, taking account of Gibraltar’s deep existing relationship with the EU.
Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment he has made of the financial liabilities the UK would have to accept in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
In the unlikely event that we leave the EU without a deal, the financial settlement, as set out in the Withdrawal Agreement, would be open for consideration. As the Prime Minister has clearly stated, we are a country that believes in the rule of law and therefore we would abide by our legal obligations. However, the nature of the financial settlement, as set out in the Withdrawal Agreement, is contingent upon us agreeing the deal as a whole.
Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, if he will list all the external analysis that has been commissioned by his Department since its inception; and what amount of money was spent on each such piece.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Government is undertaking a wide range of ongoing analysis in support of our EU exit negotiations and preparations. This analysis helps define our future partnership with the EU, and informs our understanding of how EU exit will affect the UK’s domestic policies and frameworks. Ministers have a specific responsibility, which Parliament has endorsed, not to release information that would reveal our negotiating position and so the Government will not provide an ongoing commentary on analytical work that is being carried out.
Costs spent on analysis directly commissioned externally by the Department for Exiting the European Union are recorded and published under the category of consultancy spending in our Annual Report and Accounts. The Department’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2017-18 can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/727528/CCS207_CCS0618826768-1_DExEU_ARA_1718_PDF_Final_TEXT_v2__1_.pdf
Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, if he will list (a) all the economic qualifications held by staff in his Department's Planning and Analysis Directorate and (b) what level those qualifications are.
Answered by Robin Walker
The information you have requested is not held centrally therefore we are not in a position to provide this for particular groups of staff.
The Department for Exiting the European Union now has over 650 staff. The Department continues to recruit the brightest and the best from across the civil service, the wider public sector and the private sector, in a range of professions, including the Government Economics Service (GES). The Department also coordinates the work of specialist economists from across the whole of Government on exit related policy. This ensures that it draws together the expertise and specific relevant knowledge required to deliver the Department’s objectives to secure the best possible deal on the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU, and build a deep and comprehensive future partnership between the UK and the EU.
Asked by: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many staff work in his Department's Planning and Analysis Directorate.
Answered by Suella Braverman
All departments are equipping themselves with the resources they need to get the best deal for the UK. The Department for Exiting the European Union continues to recruit the brightest and the best from across the civil service, the wider public sector and the private sector, in a range of professions, including the Government Economics Service (GES).
The Department now has over 650 staff based in the UK, plus the expertise of over 120 officials in Brussels. We regularly reviews headcount to ensure we are appropriately resourced to deliver the Department’s objectives to secure the best possible deal on the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU, and build a deep and comprehensive future partnership between the UK and the EU.