Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 14 Feb 2019
UK’s Withdrawal from the EU
"Yes, we absolutely should be seeking and honouring a deep and close relationship with our neighbours and allies in Europe, but the trouble with a customs union, which Labour Members advocate, is that it would prevent us from doing the global free trade deals that, in a world that is …..."Henry Smith - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 10 Dec 2018
EU Exit: Article 50
"Further to the question from my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith), it is certainly interesting that the ECJ has been able to hand down this judgment with great speed. The Brexit Secretary is far too diplomatic to agree with me that it …..."Henry Smith - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 24 Jul 2018
EU Withdrawal Agreement: Legislation
"When the Secretary of State meets the remaining 27 EU Governments over the summer, will he be highlighting the fact that they have a significant trade surplus with the UK and that it is therefore in everyone’s best interests that a comprehensive trade deal is accomplished?..."Henry Smith - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 14 Jun 2018
Oral Answers to Questions
"9. What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK remaining in the customs union on its ability to negotiate new free trade agreements throughout the world. ..."Henry Smith - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 14 Jun 2018
Oral Answers to Questions
"When I have met elected representatives from places as far apart as Wellington and Washington, they have been very keen to do trade deals with the United Kingdom post-Brexit. Will the Minister confirm that that would not be possible if we remained part of the customs union?..."Henry Smith - View Speech
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Written Question
Friday 2nd February 2018
Asked by:
Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
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 UK's ability to agree international trade deals after leaving the EU in the event that it is still a member of the EU Customs Union.
Answered by Robin Walker
During the implementation period, participating in a customs union should not preclude us from formally negotiating — or indeed signing — trade agreements. Although, of course, they would not enter into force until the implementation period has ended.
After the implementation period, the whole of the UK will be leaving the Customs Union and Single Market and implementing our own independent trade policy. There has been no change to that position.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 29 Jan 2018
Leaving the EU: Implementation
"The Minister has spoken about an implementation period of around two years after we formally leave the European Union, if there is to be an implementation period. May I further press him to say that it will be less than two years? I would suggest, as others have, new year’s …..."Henry Smith - View Speech
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Written Question
Thursday 14th December 2017
Asked by:
Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question
to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union what representations the Government has received from the aviation sector on priorities for the negotiations on the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Robin Walker
As I said in my answer to Oral Question 902942 on 14 December, I can confirm to my hon. Friend that the Government are working closely with the aviation sector to ensure that it continues to be a major success story for the UK economy. Ministers and officials in our Department and in the Department for Transport have met widely with representatives of the sector since the referendum in 2016, covering the full spectrum of issues affecting the industry.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 13 Nov 2017
EU Exit Negotiations
"My right hon. Friend rightly says that he is negotiating with pragmatism. Has he detected any growing pragmatism in the unelected EU Commission as it—hopefully—realises that the trade surplus that the EU27 have with us could be under threat?..."Henry Smith - View Speech
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Written Question
Thursday 2nd November 2017
Asked by:
Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question
to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what representations the Government has received from the aviation sector on priorities for its negotiations on the UK leaving the EU; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Government is working closely with the aviation sector to ensure it continues to be a major success story for the UK economy. Ministers and officials from across Government have met widely with the sector since the referendum, covering the full spectrum of issues affecting the industry.