Oral Answers to Questions

Craig Whittaker Excerpts

Thursday 1st December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davis]

I hear from behind me, “How is your poll rating?” I would not be so cruel to my old friend. We will use all 121 days to get the best possible policy for us and then we will put that single policy to the European Union.

[Craig Whittaker (Calder Valley) (Con)]

7. What discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on maintaining police and security co-operation with EU partners after the UK leaves the EU.

[The Minister of State, Department for Exiting the European Union (Mr David Jones)]

The Secretary of State and I speak regularly to our Home Office colleagues about a range of issues relating to the UK’s exit from the EU. We are both committed to maintaining very close police and security co-operation between the UK and EU member states after we leave the EU. The safety of the British public is, of course, a top priority.

[Craig Whittaker]

Can my right hon. Friend assure me that after Brexit we will continue this close co-operation with the EU on law enforcement and counter-terrorism in particular, to ensure that we continue to protect not only the UK, but Europe?

[Mr Jones]

I can assure my hon. Friend that the UK will continue to play a full role in this area at a time of increasing risk of terrorism, Russian belligerence, instability in the middle east and a host of other threats. There is undoubtedly a huge benefit for both the UK and the EU from continued close co-operation in this field.