Northern Ireland: Restoring Devolution Debate

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Department: Northern Ireland Office
Monday 21st October 2019

(4 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Julian Smith Portrait Julian Smith
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I hope and expect that we will continue with that Bill to deliver for victims who have waited for far too long.

Owen Smith Portrait Owen Smith (Pontypridd) (Lab)
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Will the Secretary of State confirm that, as revealed by the Brexit Secretary in an answer to my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds Central (Hilary Benn), under the new Brexit dispensation firms in Northern Ireland exporting to the rest of the UK will now be expected to fill in export forms, and could he tell us how that can be squared with the claim that Northern Ireland will remain part of the UK customs territory?

Julian Smith Portrait Julian Smith
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As Northern Ireland Secretary, I will be fighting for the interests of businesses and ensuring that we minimise any disruption to their trade flows. Northern Ireland has a hugely successful business sector, and it will go from strength to strength with this deal.