Oral Answers to Questions

Graham P Jones Excerpts

Wednesday 26th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[James Brokenshire]

As I have already underlined, the Government are determined not to see a return to the borders of the past. We want to strengthen the common travel area. Work with the Irish Government has been ongoing for many months and will continue, reflecting the important issues the hon. Gentleman highlights on the movement of people, the movement of goods and services, and the sense of politics and identity, which is why this is such a priority.

[Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab)]

13. The Secretary of State says he wants to take back control of our borders, in particular this border. At the same time, he says he wants to keep the common travel area and the current arrangements. Is that not contradictory nonsense? In the end, will it not it be the EU that decides, because it is the Republic’s border? What conversations has he had with the EU on that matter?

[James Brokenshire]

The hon. Gentleman wants to get into negotiations that have not yet started. I underline the shared will and commitment of ourselves, the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to support the common travel area and to ensure we do not return to the borders of the past. That is the work we have ahead of us.