Progress on EU Negotiations

Michael Tomlinson Excerpts

Thursday 22nd November 2018 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I recognise the significance of that industry to our economy. Representations from the industry have been made to me, particularly about issues such as the future immigration system that we will put in place and the concern about ensuring that people of high skills will still be able to come to the United Kingdom to participate in and help to develop the industry. Our immigration system will indeed be skills-based.

[Michael Tomlinson (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (Con)]

Does this political declaration negate the legal status of the backstop, which will be enshrined in a legally binding international treaty?

[The Prime Minister]

My hon. Friend knows that the withdrawal agreement is indeed a legal document and that the legal text around the political declaration has still to be negotiated. There is a linkage between the withdrawal agreement and the political agreement, as set out clearly in the withdrawal agreement. With regard to the backstop, it is clear that, were we to be in it, it would be only temporary, but also that that is not the only option if it is necessary to have an interim arrangement to provide for our guarantees for the people of Northern Ireland prior to the future relationship coming into place.