Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to pages 5 and 16 of the Customs Bill White Paper (Cm 9502), whether the Government plans to negotiate a (a) highly streamlined customs arrangement or (b) new customs partnership with the EU.

In ‘Future customs arrangement – a future partnership paper’, the Government made it clear that in assessing the options for the UK’s future customs arrangements outside the EU Customs Union, the Government will be guided by what delivers the greatest economic advantage to the UK, and by three strategic objectives:

• Ensuring UK-EU trade is as frictionless as possible;

• Avoiding a ‘hard border’ between Ireland and Northern Ireland; and

• Establishing an independent international trade policy.

  The Government has identified two broad approaches to a future customs relationship with the EU that would facilitate these objectives – the ‘highly streamlined customs arrangement’ and a ‘new customs partnership’.

  The Government is engaging with businesses from across the UK in order to develop these options further in advance of negotiations and ensure they meets business needs and contribute to the UK’s future prosperity.