Oral Answers to Questions

Alan Brown Excerpts
Thursday 9th March 2017

(7 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Jones Portrait Mr Jones
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My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. It is not necessary to be part of a customs union, but we seek frictionless customs arrangements for the benefit of the EU and the UK.

Alan Brown Portrait Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)
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23. In a document leaked to The Times, the oil and gas industry was shamefully listed as a low priority for the UK Government in their negotiations with the EU. Given the Minister’s earlier answer, will he confirm that he has no plans to retain membership of the customs union and the single market for the oil and gas industry?

David Jones Portrait Mr Jones
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The fact that the oil and gas industry is a high priority for the Government was shown by the Chancellor’s announcement yesterday. Frankly, rather than talking bleakly about the future of the industry, the hon. Gentleman should urge his colleagues in the Scottish Government to work strongly with the United Kingdom Government to ensure that arrangements can be made that are satisfactory for the industry.