Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Exiting the EU to the Committee on Exiting the European Union of 9 January 2019, on what date the French Government announced its intention to establish a border inspection point in Calais.

We are aware that the French authorities are planning for the deployment of new border control posts which will be able to process products of animal origin at the ports of entry for the Channel. In addition, Gérald Darmanin, Minister of Public Action and Accounts, has announced the creation of a customs office in Calais which will help French authorities to improve their capacity to ensure fluidity and avoid unnecessary delays. However, as I stated in evidence to the Committee on Exiting the European Union, we will continue to monitor the situation in Calais and until any such border inspection post is operational, we will continue to develop our border plans to cover the full spectrum of scenarios.