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.

Oral Answers to Questions

James Davies Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd September 2020 Commons Chamber

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

One positive among the gloom of the covid pandemic is that this year’s “I’m a Celebrity” will be filmed not in New South Wales, Australia, but in our own north Wales. Even if I cannot tempt the Prime Minister to take part in a Welshtucker trial, would he commend ITV on its choice of venue and welcome the positive impact that that can have on the regional economy?

[The Prime Minister]

My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the wonderful attractions of north Wales, which I know very well, as I tried to get elected there many years ago—unsuccessfully. I congratulate him on his success, and may it be long repeated.

Oral Answers to Questions

James Davies Excerpts

Wednesday 13th May 2020 Commons Chamber

[Virginia Crosbie (Ynys Môn) (Con)]

What steps the Government is taking to support the continuation of ferry crossings between Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the covid-19 outbreak.

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

What steps the Government is taking to support the continuation of ferry crossings between Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the covid-19 outbreak.

[The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr Robin Walker)]

The Government have, together with the Northern Ireland Executive, made available a financial package of up to £17 million to keep critical freight routes open between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This reflects the huge importance of these connections and ensures essential goods, such as food and medicines, will continue to flow.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Walker]

Each route is integral to the supply of critical goods within the United Kingdom. Public service obligations are an established mechanism for supporting routes and are being used here to temporarily support routes affected by covid-19. The Government continue to engage closely with operators and ports on the Irish sea and we will continue to listen and take appropriate steps at the right time to protect critical supply routes, wherever they are.

[Dr James Davies [V]]

Can the Minister confirm that keeping these ferry routes open is sustaining the supply chain of food and medical supplies that are so vitally needed on both sides of the crossing, including in the Vale of Clwyd?

[Mr Walker]

Absolutely, yes, and I think the exchange of PPE that was referred to in earlier answers to questions is a good example of that, where both GB has benefited from those connections to Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland has benefited from those connections to Great Britain.