All 1 Debates between Shailesh Vara and Stephen Kerr

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Shailesh Vara and Stephen Kerr
Wednesday 5th September 2018

(6 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Shailesh Vara Portrait Mr Vara
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Clearly we have a responsibility as a Government to business people in respect of what we will do or what we intend to do, but we cannot speak for other countries. It therefore of course makes eminent sense for businesses in Northern Ireland that do deals across the border to consult so that they find out what is happening with other EU countries. The UK Government cannot speak for the Irish Government, so that dialogue is important.

Stephen Kerr Portrait Stephen Kerr (Stirling) (Con)
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How do the Government plan to ensure that our departure from the European Union is used as an opportunity to strengthen the Union?

Shailesh Vara Portrait Mr Vara
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My hon. Friend makes a very good point. We are leaving the European Union as four nations. It is absolutely clear that the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom will not in any way be compromised. In our negotiations with the European Union, we speak as the United Kingdom, not as any specific one of the four nations.