Northern Ireland Protocol: UK Approach

Hilary Benn Excerpts

Wednesday 20th May 2020 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

We will of course work to make sure that IT systems are efficient and compatible and consult with business. In fact, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has a business roundtable this afternoon. Engagement with Northern Ireland’s citizens and its many small and medium-sized enterprises is critical to making everything work.

[Hilary Benn (Leeds Central) (Lab) [V]]

We all hope there will be an exit agreement with the EU, but if there is not, how will the Government stop goods, such as cars made in the EU, which in those circumstances would attract a 10% tariff, from entering Great Britain tariff-free via Northern Ireland? The right hon. Gentleman has told the House that goods would have unfettered access moving from Northern Ireland to GB. Would there in fact have to be checks if people tried to do that?

[Michael Gove]

We will have market surveillance, and if people try to break the law, they will face the consequences.