Oral Answers to Questions

James Davies Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd June 2022 Commons Chamber

[Nick Fletcher (Don Valley) (Con)]

1. What steps his Department is taking to support businesses trading between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

[Dr James Davies (Vale of Clwyd) (Con)]

9. What steps his Department is taking to support businesses trading between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

[Alexander Stafford (Rother Valley) (Con)]

10. What steps his Department is taking to support businesses trading between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

--- Later in debate ---

[Dr James Davies]

Businesses based in Great Britain, such as the Snowdonia Cheese Company in my constituency, tell me that while it is possible for them to trade with Northern Ireland, doing so can be very involved, costly and restrictive. The current application of the Northern Ireland protocol is therefore hampering business growth and success. Will my right hon. Friend confirm how businesses like Snowdonia Cheese stand to benefit from the provisions in the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill?

[Brandon Lewis]

My hon. Friend makes an important point on why the Bill matters. Freedom to move products within the UK’s internal market without impediment is critical. The proposed legislation will enable businesses to trade freely once again by delivering new green and red lane arrangements. It will remove unnecessary costs and work for businesses trading within the UK, while ensuring the necessary checks are done, quite properly, for goods entering the EU.