Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Jones and Brandon Lewis

Wednesday 13th May 2020 Commons Chamber

[Brandon Lewis]

We will ensure that businesses have plenty of time to be ready for January next year. One of the key parts of that is ensuring that we have unfettered access. We will not put borders down the Irish sea or anywhere else. Unfettered access is a hugely important part of respecting the Good Friday agreement, as well as the “New Decade, New Approach” deal. The best way for businesses to have fluidity of access to the market is to have unfettered access. That is what we are determined to deliver, and that is what we will do.

[Sarah Jones (Croydon Central) (Lab)]

What plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to tackle Northern Ireland legacy issues; and whether those proposals will require cross-community support.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Brandon Lewis)]

I recently published a written ministerial statement setting out the way forward on the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland. We have begun engagement with the Northern Ireland parties, the Irish Government and other key stakeholders, with a firm focus on finding consensus on the detail of the proposals, which will allow us to move forward.

[Sarah Jones [V]]

The Victims’ Commissioner said:

“The aim of addressing the legacy of the past must be to build a better future”.

Why did the Secretary of State, in that spirit, not consult with key organisations such as the Commission for Victims and Survivors before publishing his statement on 18 March? Does he agree that victims must be at the heart of the proposal, and that any proposals must have their full support?

[Brandon Lewis]

Colleagues will appreciate that it was appropriate to lay the written ministerial statement before Parliament first. That is the process of how we work in this House, but I say to the hon. Lady that I have been engaging with victims groups, as has my Minister of State, and I will continue to do so. I have spoken directly to victims groups, which are an important part of the process. I gently say to the hon. Lady that the WMS very clearly references the importance of ensuring that we do the right thing for victims. They are absolutely at the heart of this, and it is important that they are.