Oral Answers to Questions

Liz McInnes Excerpts

Thursday 25th October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Gerald Jones (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney) (Lab)]

1. What assessment he has made of the potential for UK border delays in the event that no deal is agreed for when the UK leaves the EU.

[Liz McInnes (Heywood and Middleton) (Lab)]

6. What assessment he has made of the potential for UK border delays in the event that no deal is agreed for when the UK leaves the EU.

[Sandy Martin (Ipswich) (Lab)]

7. What assessment he has made of the potential for UK border delays in the event that no deal is agreed for when the UK leaves the EU.

--- Later in debate ---

[Dominic Raab]

There certainly is a risk of no deal, especially if the EU engages in a deliberately intransigent approach. The hon. Gentleman asks about staff. We are recruiting 300 extra staff, with a further 600 planned. We have given a range of advice through our 106 technical notices, half of which gave advice on customs procedures for businesses. There have been 300,000 letters sent to current customs users and 145,000 letters to VAT-registered businesses.

[Liz McInnes]

The Health Secretary told pharmaceutical companies to stockpile six weeks’ worth of medicines in case of a no-deal Brexit because of potential delays at the border. Will the Brexit Secretary confirm whether he envisages circumstances where companies could be asked to stockpile for longer than six weeks?

--- Later in debate ---

[Dominic Raab]

The WTO rules provide some legal checks in relation to discrimination and other aspects, but the reality is that there would be disruption at the border. We can mitigate to a large degree, but not wholly; that will depend on the response from our EU partners and friends. The French, the Belgians and the Dutch are co-operating with us constructively with regard to Eurotunnel. My hon. Friend will have heard what the Minister for no deal planning said about the French approach. We are confident that there would be a constructive approach on both sides in the case of a no-deal scenario, but we do need to prepare for all eventualities.

[Liz McInnes (Heywood and Middleton) (Lab)]

T6. Will the protocol and memorandum of understanding for Gibraltar still stand in the event of no deal?

[Mr Robin Walker]

It has always been the case in these negotiations that we have to agree the whole deal in order for it to apply. It is right to say that we have made a great deal of progress on that protocol, but it is linked to the overall withdrawal agreement.