Oral Answers to Questions

Gavin Newlands Excerpts

Thursday 14th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Davis]

We take all remarks from business and business leaders very seriously. We have to make an assessment as to what is in the best interests of the whole country. We also have to balance—for example, with respect to customs union—the interests of existing companies and companies that may make the most of opportunities in the rest of the world when we get freedom from the common commercial policy. My direct answer to the end of my hon. Friend’s question is that we will be publishing a White Paper in the near future, and the matter will be addressed in that White Paper.

[Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)]

Can the Secretary of State confirm that any separate regulatory alignment deal for Northern Ireland will be available to Scotland?

[Mr Davis]

As we said in our proposal to the European Union, the backstop proposal was for the whole of the United Kingdom, and everything else will be for the whole of the United Kingdom, with minor variations that currently exist in Northern Ireland.