Asked by: John Grogan (Labour - Keighley)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment he has made of the merits of the proposal from the Government of Anguilla for a customs union and common travel area with St Martin.
Answered by Robin Walker
The UK Government fully understands the importance of economic and personal links between St Martin/Sint Maarten and Anguilla and the Government is working closely with the Government of Anguilla on all aspects of Brexit. We are working with the Government of Anguilla on all related issues including around the flow of goods, services and people between St Martin/Sint Maarten and Anguilla.
The movement of both British citizens and British Overseas Territories citizens between Anguilla and St Martin should continue under the existing bilateral arrangements which provide visa-free access for short stays up to 90 days and do not depend on the UK’s EU membership. We will continue to work with Anguilla and our other Overseas Territories as we leave the EU to ensure we get a deal which works for the whole UK family.
Asked by: John Grogan (Labour - Keighley)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on the Overseas Territory of Anguilla of the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Robin Walker
The UK Government is working closely with the Government of Anguilla to enable them to understand the implications of the UK leaving the EU. Ministers and officials regularly engage with representatives from Anguilla and the other Overseas Territories through the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council which last met on 4 and 5 December 2018. This mechanism for dialogue ensures that assessments about the potential effects of EU Exit on their territories can be shared.
The Government is committed to working with Anguilla through the negotiation process with the EU, and getting a deal that works for the whole British family, which includes Anguilla.
Asked by: John Grogan (Labour - Keighley)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to Article 2 (2) of the draft protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland of the draft agreement on the withdrawal of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union, if he will publish the rights and privileges associated with of the Common Travel Area.
Answered by Robin Walker
The UK Government is firmly committed to maintaining the Common Travel Area (CTA) and to protecting the rights enjoyed by UK and Irish nationals when in each other’s state. The Commission’s draft Withdrawal Agreement Treaty text builds on December’s Joint report and confirms that the UK and Ireland can continue to work together as part of these arrangements.
The reciprocal rights for UK and Irish nationals associated with the Common Travel Area are described in the UK Government’s August 2017 position paper on Northern Ireland and Ireland, and include:
● the right to enter and reside in each others’ state without being subject to a requirement to obtain permission;
● the right to work without being subject to a requirement to obtain permission;
● the right to study;
● access to social welfare entitlements and benefits;
● access to health services; and
● the right to vote in local and parliamentary elections.
Asked by: John Grogan (Labour - Keighley)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 52 of the Joint report from the negotiators of the European Union and the United Kingdom Government on progress during phase 1 of negotiations under Article 50 TEU on the United Kingdom's orderly withdrawal from the European Union, whether the commitment made in that paragraph includes all EU rights normally associated with residents in a Member State; and if he will list those rights.
Answered by Robin Walker
The UK and the EU acknowledge that the Belfast (‘Good Friday’) Agreement recognises the birth right of all the people of Northern Ireland to choose to be Irish or British or both and be accepted as such. They also recognise that the people of Northern Ireland who are Irish citizens will continue to enjoy rights as EU citizens, including where they reside in Northern Ireland. The UK and the EU therefore agree that the Withdrawal Agreement should respect and be without prejudice to the rights, opportunities and identity that come with European Union citizenship for such people.
The UK has been clear that we are committed to turning all of the commitments made under the Joint Report into legally binding text - that includes those on citizenship rights for the people of Northern Ireland under the terms of the Belfast Agreement.