Oral Answers to Questions

Afzal Khan Excerpts

Thursday 25th October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We are running slightly late, but I want to accommodate the last two questioners.

[Afzal Khan (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab)]

18. What estimate he has made of the volume of legislation that would be required in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (Suella Braverman)]

We are continuing to put in place the legislative building blocks to deliver our exit, whatever the outcome of the negotiations, including the unlikely event that a deal cannot be agreed. The Government have stated consistently that a wide range of legislation will be required to correct retained EU law and ensure a functioning statute book on exit day. Examples include the recent Nuclear Safeguards Act 2018, which is now law, and statutory instruments on civil aviation and airports.

[Afzal Khan]

Greater Manchester has started to draw up plans for the catastrophe of a no-deal Brexit. Council leaders have warned that supermarkets in the north-west do not have warehouse space to stockpile food. Planes from Manchester airport could be grounded. Councils have already faced eight years of austerity, and they will be the ones picking up the pieces after no deal, providing housing and children-and-adult services to people who are out of work because of economic downturn. Will the Minister commit to sharing the Government’s no-deal planning with local authorities?

[Suella Braverman]

The Government take very seriously the concerns of local authorities when it comes to Brexit preparations. I have met local government leaders all over the country to talk about the subject. I am glad that the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has set up a Brexit delivery board to co-ordinate the work of local authorities and Government on preparations for Brexit—deal or no deal.