Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether there will be checks and controls for (a) people and (b) goods entering the island of Ireland from Great Britain after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by James Duddridge
Regarding the movement of people, the UK and Irish governments have made firm commitments to protect Common Travel Area arrangements, including the associated rights of British and Irish citizens in each other's state. Article 3 of the revised Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland allows the UK and Ireland to continue these arrangements after EU Exit.
Northern Ireland remains part of the UK’s single customs territory.The Prime Minister has been clear that, beyond the limited changes introduced by the Northern Ireland Protocol, there will be no changes to GB-NI trade in goods.
Under the terms of the Protocol no tariffs will be paid on goods moving within the United Kingdom unless they are destined to enter the EU via the Republic of Ireland.
Once we leave the EU, the UK will cease to be a Member State. Movements of goods from Great Britain to the Republic of Ireland will be subject to the arrangements concluded by the UK and the EU as part of the future relationship. We are aiming for an ambitious agreement with the EU with zero tariffs and quotas which could, depending on what is agreed, replace the Protocol.
In the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration, both sides have committed to use their best endeavours to negotiate that agreement by the end of this year.
Most importantly, the special arrangements provided for in the Protocol are subject to the democratic consent of the people of Northern Ireland, ensuring that if they find the arrangements of the Protocol unsatisfactory for any reason they have the choice to bring those arrangements to an end.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what recent discussions he has had with Ministers in the Welsh Government on the potential effect of customs checks on trade across the Irish Sea.
Answered by James Duddridge
The Government is committed to the close involvement of the Welsh Government as we deliver an EU exit that works in the interests of the whole of the UK. While the UK Government negotiates on behalf of the United Kingdom, we have been clear from the start that the devolved administrations should be engaged throughout the negotiations process.
Following the successful agreement of a deal with the EU on 17 October, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster spoke with Jeremy Miles AM, Counsel General and Brexit Minister in the Welsh Government, in detail.
The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union spoke to Jeremy Miles, on 2 October to discuss the Prime Minister’s letter to the President of the European Commission regarding the UK Government’s proposals for a new protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.
Latest developments were also discussed at the Joint Ministerial Forum (EU Negotiations) on 10 October, where Lord Callanan, Minister of State for Exiting the European Union, attended to discuss the latest developments with the devolved administrations, including Jeremy Miles.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how much his Department spent on ministerial travel by (a) first class, (b) second class and (c) in total in 2018.
Answered by James Duddridge
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether his Department plans to publish civil service advice on the effect of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
Answered by James Duddridge
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how much his Department spent on ministerial travel by (a) first class, (b) second class and (c) in total in 2017.
Answered by James Duddridge
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how much his Department spent on refreshments in (a) 2017 and (b) 2018.
Answered by James Duddridge
The Department does not hold this data as it is not recorded at such a level.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on environmental policy of the effect of the UK leaving the EU .
Answered by James Duddridge
We continue to have regular conversations with ministerial colleagues across Government on all aspects of exiting the European Union.
The Government has been clear that it will not weaken our current environmental protections as we leave the European Union and will maintain and enhance our already high environmental standards.
As part of this we will set up a new, ambitious domestic framework for environmental governance.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what preparations his Department has made for holding of a second referendum on UK membership of the EU.
Answered by Kwasi Kwarteng
The Government has been clear that it does not support a second referendum. The priority of the Government is to deliver on the result of the first referendum by trying to find a deal that could command majority support in Parliament.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what progress he has made in discussions with the Home Secretary on a two-year, multi-entry touring visa for UK musicians in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on preparations for the UK’s departure from the European Union.
In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal, UK nationals undertaking paid work such as tours in the EU should check with the Embassy of the countries they plan to travel to for what kind of visa or permit, if any, they will need. The FCO provides advice on their country-specific travel pages online. Information about entry requirements for those intending to work or provide a service in an EU Member State is listed on our advice pages for UK businesses on gov.uk.
The Political Declaration agreed between the UK and the EU acknowledges the importance of mobility for cultural cooperation. The UK is seeking to agree reciprocal mobility arrangements that would facilitate the temporary mobility of self-employed professionals and employees providing services. The detail will be discussed in the next phase of negotiations.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on ensuring the maintenance of the European Health Insurance Card for UK citizens when the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Robin Walker
DExEU Ministers and officials have regular discussions with their counterparts in the Department for Health and Social Care to discuss a wide range of issues related to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
Subject to the Withdrawal Agreement being agreed by Parliament, where the UK or an EU Member State is responsible for the healthcare of those within the scope of the Agreement, these individuals will continue to be entitled to reciprocal healthcare cover, including EHIC rights, from that country. For individuals not in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement, and as part of our future relationship with the EU, we have said that we want continued participation in the EHIC scheme.
In the event of a no deal exit, reciprocal healthcare cannot be protected unilaterally and requires reciprocity from the EU or individual Member States. We have a duty to ensure that any potential harmful impacts on our citizens in the EU, and on EU citizens residing in the UK, are minimised as far as possible.
That is why, in the event of no deal, the UK is seeking an EU-wide approach or bilateral arrangements with Member States to transitionally apply the current social security coordination regulations, including reciprocal healthcare, in full until the end of 2020. This includes current EHIC arrangements. This will provide certainty to individuals who move to, visit or work in the UK or EU until that date. UK Government Ministers highlighted the importance of transitionally maintaining these arrangements in letters sent to Ministerial counterparts in each Member State.