Oral Answers to Questions

Antoinette Sandbach Excerpts

Thursday 3rd May 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon) (Con)]

4. What progress he has made on negotiating the UK’s future relationship with the EU.

[Antoinette Sandbach (Eddisbury) (Con)]

6. What recent progress he has made on negotiations on the UK leaving the EU.

[Hannah Bardell (Livingston) (SNP)]

7. What recent progress he has made on negotiating the UK’s exit from the EU.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Davis]

I have some much more pertinent things than that to frame, Mr Speaker.

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill is essential and is in the national interest. Some of the amendments passed in the upper House—and the upper House does a very important job, as a reviewing House, in improving the quality of legislation—could have the effect of undermining the negotiation. That is a matter of critical national interest, and we will have to deal with it accordingly.

[Antoinette Sandbach]

Does the Secretary of State agree with the finding of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee that there is currently no technological solution to the problem of the Irish border?

[Mr Davis]

We have said categorically that there will be no physical infrastructure or related checks and controls at the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. We have set out clear commitments in relation to the border and have put forward two potential customs models, to which the hon. Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire North (Gavin Newlands) alluded.

I have always said that the best solution to the Northern Ireland border issue will be reached through the deep and special partnership between the United Kingdom and the European Union, recognising the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland. As the European Commission has itself acknowledged, solutions to the border issue cannot be based on precedent.