EU Exit Negotiations

John Bercow Excerpts

Monday 13th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Chris Leslie (Nottingham East) (Lab/Co-op)]

What was that?

[Mr Speaker]

The Secretary of State said yes.

[Kate Hoey (Vauxhall) (Lab)]

I welcome the Secretary of State’s firm rebuttal of the ridiculous idea that Northern Ireland would be taken out of the rest of the United Kingdom and made to stay in a customs union. Does he also recognise that the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee recently met the head of customs in Switzerland, which is not in the EU, and the one thing that he said over and again was that there was nothing that could stop this from working if there was full co-operation on all sides? Is that not what this is really all about—if the Republic of Ireland do not want to have a hard border, that can happen?

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[Mr Davis]

I am sure it was a brilliant exposition, but I did not hear it.

[Mr Speaker]

No, but the Secretary of State has the confirmation from the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith), wittering from a sedentary position, that it was very good. He said it not once, but twice—that should satisfy the Secretary of State, I feel sure.

[Mr Bernard Jenkin (Harwich and North Essex) (Con)]

May I invite my right hon. Friend to remind the House that 498 right hon. and hon. Members voted for the withdrawal Bill, in the full knowledge that, two years after notification had been served, we would be leaving the European Union? Is it not a little disappointing that they seem to be backtracking on their commitment to honour their promises to the British people?

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[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Mr Speaker]

I call Clive Efford.

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

I am grateful, Mr Speaker, for your contribution to my fitness regime.

If the House amends primary legislation in the form of the Bill to implement the withdrawal agreement, will the Secretary of State explain how he will convey that to the European Union, if we have retained sovereignty?

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[Mr Davis]

The ones in receipt of the Conservative Whip will.

[Mr Speaker]

I am grateful to the Secretary of State and all colleagues.