Oral Answers to Questions

Kwasi Kwarteng Excerpts

Wednesday 28th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Gavin Robinson (Belfast East) (DUP)]

1. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on strengthening the Union during the process by which the UK leaves the EU.

[Kwasi Kwarteng (Spelthorne) (Con)]

10. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on strengthening the Union during the process by which the UK leaves the EU.

[The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Mr David Lidington)]

The Government are unapologetically committed to the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom. As the Minister responsible for constitutional issues across the Government and as chair of a number of Cabinet Committees, I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues about such issues.

[Mr Lidington]

I am happy to meet the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues, as I am always happy to talk to the elected representatives of Northern Ireland constituencies here. It is important that we find a way to mark that centenary appropriately and do so in a way that is genuinely inclusive and recognises the sensitivities associated with many centenary anniversaries affecting the island of Ireland that have fallen in recent years.

[Kwasi Kwarteng]

Given that we are leaving the EU, will my right hon. Friend assure this House that he will do everything he can to preserve the single market of the United Kingdom, which is infinitely more important to many Unionist Members than the single market of the EU?

[Mr Lidington]

My hon. Friend is right. The United Kingdom’s common market existed well before we joined the European Union, and it will continue to exist after we leave. The living standards of people in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland alike benefit from the existence and strength of the internal market of the United Kingdom, and the Government will do their utmost to protect and defend it.