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.

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.