Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of the strength of trade relations between Wales and (a) Northern Ireland, (b) Scotland and (c) England; and if he will make a statement.

The Government is monitoring and assessing these critical trade routes between Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. We are committed to strengthening the Union and increasing trade flows between the four nations as a key part of that strategy.

Under the UK Internal Market Act, we have legislated for a framework within which to manage regulatory divergence within the UK, ensuring the continued free flow of goods and services between Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England, by preventing the introduction of new regulatory barriers and enshrining the principles of mutual recognition and non-discrimination into domestic law. These principles ensure that regulations from one part of the UK are recognised across the other home nations and support companies trading in the UK regardless of where in the UK they are based.

We have further legislated to ensure unfettered access for trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.