Oral Answers to Questions

Jonathan Gullis Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd November 2023 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con)]

2. What recent discussions he has had with businesses in Northern Ireland on the implementation of the Windsor framework.

[Jonathan Gullis (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Con)]

6. What recent discussions he has had with businesses in Northern Ireland on the implementation of the Windsor framework.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Chris Heaton-Harris)]

Yesterday was the 49th anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings that killed 21 people and injured 182—the deadliest act of terrorism in England during the troubles. At this juncture, we should remember those who lost their lives, and in this 25th year of the Belfast/Good Friday agreement it is important to remind ourselves of the progress that has been made since 1998.

I recently attended a roundtable with the Northern Ireland Institute of Directors, and I meet regularly with Northern Ireland businesses to discuss a whole range of issues, including the Windsor framework. Officials across the UK Government are also in regular contact with businesses about implementation of the framework. We have continued the ongoing implementation of the Windsor framework, rolling out the first phase of the green lane on 1 October, cutting red tape and lifting bans on everyday products.

[Chris Heaton-Harris]

I am happy to confirm that more than 7,000 businesses have now registered with the UK internal market scheme, of which over 3,000 are businesses that did not benefit from the previous schemes. All of those businesses can now move their goods free from any costly issues and tariffs. In the future, businesses registered under the scheme will also be able to avoid completing customs declarations as we continue implementation of the Windsor framework.

[Jonathan Gullis]

Does the Secretary of State accept that for as long as there are customs declarations, physical searches and ID checks for businesses moving goods from Great Britain into Northern Ireland, even in the green lane, the Prime Minister’s view that there is no

“sense of border in the Irish sea”

will ring hollow?