Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Portsmouth International port on the effect of peak ferry times on the processing capability of the port in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Government departments have been working to design customs and other control arrangements at the UK border in a way which ensures goods can continue to flow into the country, and will not be delayed by additional controls and checks. Transitional simplified procedures, which were announced on 5 February, will contribute to ensuring smooth inbound flow at ro-ro ports including Portsmouth.

Officials have also engaged specifically with Portsmouth International Port to gain an understanding of the operations, including peak flows; and of the impacts of various EU exit scenarios on processing of freight traffic, with a view to supporting detailed local operational and resilience planning. However, the Department is not expecting the strategic road network to be disrupted.