Irish Border: Customs Arrangements

Angela Smith Excerpts
Tuesday 1st October 2019

(4 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Duddridge Portrait James Duddridge
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I recognise that as a potential way forward. I think it would limit the Government’s negotiating capacity, and there will clearly be opportunities for the House to interact in that way at some point in the future, but I will reflect on my right hon. Friend’s comments and discuss them with the Secretary of State.

Angela Smith Portrait Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (LD)
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The House is being asked to take it on trust that the Government have credible proposals for alternatives to the backstop, so let me put the Minister to the test in a slightly different way. Is he confident that this border that is not going to be a border will be fully developed and ready for operation, and in compliance with the Good Friday agreement, at one minute past midnight on Friday 1 November 2019?

James Duddridge Portrait James Duddridge
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That is certainly our intention. While on my feet, may I take the opportunity to say that I think I misheard the right hon. Member for Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark) and may have answered the question that I thought he asked rather than the question he actually asked? I apologise. I will look at Hansard and get back to him properly.