Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robin Walker and Ged Killen

Thursday 14th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Walker]

As the hon. Lady knows, we are committed to ensuring customs arrangements that allow for no physical infrastructure at the border. As she also knows, we have put forward our own proposal for a backstop in the EU negotiations, which is an important element of that. We want to secure this for the future relationship between the UK and the EU.

[Ged Killen (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/Co-op)]

3. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on future customs arrangements as part of the UK’s negotiations to leave the EU.

[Gill Furniss (Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough) (Lab)]

16. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on future customs arrangements as part of the UK’s negotiations to leave the EU.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (Mr Robin Walker)]

The Secretary of State and I regularly discuss exit issues with Cabinet and ministerial colleagues, including customs. The Prime Minister is clear that we are working towards a customs solution that keeps trade with the EU as frictionless as possible, avoids a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland, and establishes an independent trade policy.

[Ged Killen]

Can the Minister tell us how many times the Government’s two working groups on future customs arrangements have met, and how close are they to finally reaching a conclusion between the Government’s two unworkable and undesirable customs options?

[Mr Walker]

Those working groups are meeting regularly to advance the work on both of the options. As agreed yesterday, the Government will provide by 31 October a statement to Parliament on the steps taken to negotiate a customs arrangement with the EU.