EU: Customs Arrangements

Lord Alderdice Excerpts

Wednesday 8th July 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord True]

My Lords, I am in that invidious position where advice is shortly to be published and I am not going to pre-empt what is in it. But I can assure the noble Lord that the position regarding Welsh ports, which he has raised before—I am grateful to him for that—is certainly something the Government are well aware of, and it is under consideration.

[The Deputy Speaker (Lord Alderdice) (LD)]

Lord Caine?

[Lord Ashton of Hyde (Con)]

The noble Lord needs to unmute.

[The Deputy Speaker]

There seems to be a problem with the hub. We shall move on to the noble Viscount, Lord Waverley.

[Viscount Waverley (CB) [V]]

[Inaudible.]—to the continent by some key players. Are the Government expecting UK manufacturers to adapt to government policies, or are the Government adapting to the needs of industry? After consultation with those at the sharp end of supply chain issues, and the clarion call for certainty, what change of policy might the Government feel obliged to consider, should the US remove itself from the WTO, thus compounding uncertainty?

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord True]

My Lords, I hope that the arrangements will be as smooth and swift as possible. This will be a matter for discussion and elucidation, but the Government intend to sustain our right to border controls and to facilitate the effective transit of goods.

[The Deputy Speaker]

My Lords, the time allowed for this Question has elapsed.