Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Northern Ireland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Danny Kinahan Excerpts
Wednesday 8th June 2016

(8 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Ben Wallace Portrait Mr Wallace
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It is certainly the view of the United Kingdom that if we leave the European Union, that foreign direct investment would be put under threat. It might go elsewhere in the EU rather than in the UK. We do not want to see that happen; we want to continue to remain in the EU. Luckily, I think for all of us, there is not long to go before we can cast our votes.

Danny Kinahan Portrait Danny Kinahan (South Antrim) (UUP)
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The EU debate has focused over the last few days on migration. Does the Minister agree that migrants have brought in great skills to Northern Ireland, and will he clarify how he sees migration working after Brexit, if we leave?

Ben Wallace Portrait Mr Wallace
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What is often missed by people who want us to leave the European Union is the fact that, owing to our United Nations obligations under the 1951 treaty, the 1967 appendix and the 1984 and 1989 convention rights, if we did leave we would have to continue to take people who come to our shores seeking asylum and refuge. We would still not be able to decide 100%. Only North Korea can do that, and I do not fancy following North Korea.