Oral Answers to Questions

Nick Fletcher Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd June 2022 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Nick Fletcher (Don Valley) (Con)]

1. What steps his Department is taking to support businesses trading between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

[Dr James Davies (Vale of Clwyd) (Con)]

9. What steps his Department is taking to support businesses trading between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Brandon Lewis)]

Mr Speaker, I thank you and the team at the Houses of Parliament for the unveiling this morning of the plaque recognising Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson.

We cannot allow the Northern Ireland protocol to continue to prevent the free movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which is why we have introduced legislation that will allow businesses to trade freely again. We are providing reassurance for business by continuing to operate the standstill arrangements, and we will work with businesses on the details of any new models.

[Nick Fletcher]

Does the Secretary of State agree that trade between our Union is of the utmost importance and that we should do all we can in this place to make sure it is not hindered in any way?

[Brandon Lewis]

Absolutely—the Government are steadfastly committed to Northern Ireland’s integral place in the United Kingdom. We will never be neutral on the Union. The proposed legislation we recently introduced will fix the practical problems the protocol has created in Northern Ireland, avoiding a hard border, protecting the integrity of the UK and safeguarding the EU single market.