Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Northern Ireland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Kerry McCarthy Excerpts
Wednesday 5th February 2020

(4 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Robin Walker Portrait Mr Walker
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I think the point that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster was making is that we already have a deal with the European Union; we have left the European Union with a deal, and that is good news for Northern Ireland and the whole United Kingdom.

Kerry McCarthy Portrait Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab)
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12. Whether EU customs declarations will be undertaken in Belfast on goods imported from mainland UK after the UK has left the EU.

Robin Walker Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr Robin Walker)
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As I stated earlier, the deal makes it crystal clear that Northern Ireland is in, and remains part of, the UK’s customs territory. It allows the UK to ensure unfettered market access for goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain. The arrangements we introduce will reflect this. As Great Britain and Northern Ireland are in the same customs territory, no tariffs will be due on goods coming from Great Britain and staying in Northern Ireland.

Kerry McCarthy Portrait Kerry McCarthy
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The European Commission released documents showing that EU import formalities on goods imported from the EU, such as customs declarations, would end up taking place in Belfast. [Interruption.] I see that the Minister is struggling to hear what I am saying. Does he not think that the best way of ensuring that there are no barriers to trade would be to remain in the customs union?

Robin Walker Portrait Mr Walker
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As the hon. Lady will recognise, there are specific arrangements in the protocol that protect Northern Ireland’s position with regard to trade with both Ireland and the United Kingdom. It is in the UK’s gift—and we will deliver on our commitments—to ensure that Northern Ireland has unfettered access to whole of the UK internal market.