Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chris Heaton-Harris and Andrew Selous

Wednesday 24th April 2024 Commons Chamber

[Chris Heaton-Harris]

This matter is very important to the Government and for Northern Ireland. The Government’s priority is to secure a long-term sustainable solution on veterinary medicines, and we wish to pursue such a solution through discussions with the European Union, and to prepare safeguards for all scenarios. As the right hon. Gentleman said, we have set up a veterinary medicines working group to advise the Government on solutions, and we are grateful for the expertise of Members who are joining that group. It has met twice, and aims to report in a timely manner in June. In the meantime, we have put in place a grace period arrangement until the end of 2025, which supports continuity of supply in Northern Ireland. However, the right hon. Gentleman is right to emphasise the importance of this matter, and we are working hard on it.

[Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con)]

2. What steps he is taking to help increase GDP in Northern Ireland.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chris Heaton-Harris and Andrew Selous

Wednesday 22nd November 2023 Commons Chamber

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Chris Heaton-Harris)]

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]

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]

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 Chris Heaton-Harris and Andrew Selous

Wednesday 21st June 2023 Commons Chamber

[Chris Heaton-Harris]

I can do that, 100%. The hon. Gentleman is completely right.

[Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con)]

9. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to promote Northern Ireland businesses overseas.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chris Heaton-Harris and Andrew Selous

Wednesday 9th November 2022 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con)]

9. What steps he is taking to help improve the Northern Ireland protocol.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Chris Heaton-Harris)]

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]

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]

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.