Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what account he has taken of the interests of the British Overseas Territories, apart from Gibraltar, in preparing the Draft Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and the Outline Political Declaration on the Future Relationship.
Answered by Robin Walker
Ministers and Officials regularly engage with all the Overseas Territories on Exit matters, including through the Joint Ministerial Council which will meet for the fifth time in December. The Government is committed to taking the interests of the Overseas Territories into account as we leave the EU, and getting a deal that works for the wider British family, including the Overseas Territories.
The Overseas Territories are covered by the territorial scope of the Withdrawal Agreement and therefore the arrangements for the Implementation Period. As set out in the July White Paper, the UK will be seeking specific arrangements for the Crown Dependencies, Gibraltar and the other Overseas Territories, taking account of their existing relationships with the EU.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what his assessment is of the potential cost to industry of Articles 40-125 of the draft Withdrawal Agreement.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The Government is undertaking a wide range of continuing analysis in support of our EU exit negotiations and preparations. We will ensure that Parliament is presented with appropriate analysis ahead of the vote on the final deal, and in Impact Assessments accompanying legislation, where appropriate.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
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 potential effect on the British overseas territories of (a) the UK leaving the EU without a deal and (b) the EU accepting the Chequers proposals.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The UK Government regularly engages with the Overseas Territories as we exit the EU to ensure they are prepared for all exit scenarios and that their interests and priorities are properly taken into account. The UK - Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council on EU Negotiations provides a mechanism for dialogue between the Overseas Territories and the Government. It ensures representatives can share their assessments about the potential effects of EU Exit scenarios on their Territories. Gibraltar, as the only Overseas Territory in the EU, has its own Joint Ministerial Council (Gibraltar EU Negotiations). In all these meetings, Ministers have discussed a variety of issues including contingency planning and the UK’s proposals for our future relationship with the EU.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
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 potential effect on the Crown Dependencies of (a) the UK leaving the EU without a deal and (b) the EU accepting the Chequers proposals.
Answered by Suella Braverman
The UK Government is committed to engaging fully with the Crown Dependencies as we exit the EU to ensure they are prepared for all exit scenarios and their interests and priorities are properly taken into account. My officials have fortnightly engagements with representatives of the Crown Dependencies and the Minister of State responsible, Robin Walker MP, holds formal quarterly meetings with the Chief Ministers of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
Officials from the UK and Crown Dependency governments have worked together on readiness planning, the transition of International Agreements, and on the drafting of primary and secondary exit legislation, as well as broader discussions on the future EU-UK relationship.