Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Northern Ireland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Wendy Chamberlain Excerpts
Wednesday 5th February 2020

(4 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Julian Smith Portrait Julian Smith
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I thank my right hon. Friend for all his work in this area. I was reading his Defence Committee’s 2017 report again at the weekend. I confirm that we can deliver on the Prime Minister’s and the Government’s priority of ending vexatious claims against our armed forces and the police, and we can deliver for victims and survivors in Northern Ireland.

Wendy Chamberlain Portrait Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife) (LD)
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9. What steps the Government is taking to ensure consistency in customs regulations throughout Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Robin Walker Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr Robin Walker)
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The deal makes clear that Northern Ireland is in, and remains part of, the UK customs territory. It allows the UK to ensure unfettered market access for goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain. The arrangements that we introduce will reflect this.

Wendy Chamberlain Portrait Wendy Chamberlain
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The Minister talks about unfettered access for goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, but according to a Treasury document leaked during the election campaign, firms will have to complete exit summary declarations—at a minimum—so I ask him again: will firms have to complete customs declarations for goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, and if I ask that again in a future questions session, will he give the same answer?

Robin Walker Portrait Mr Walker
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It is absolutely clear that the process of goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain is within the control of the UK Government. We have made clear commitments with regard to ensuring unfettered access to the whole of the UK internal market.