Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to page 47 of the New Decade, New Approach agreement, whether he plans to ensure that legislation on unfettered trade access applies to east-west trade from Great Britain to Northern Ireland; and when the Government plans to bring forward legislative proposals on that policy area.

The Government set out its approach to implementing the Ireland and Northern Ireland Protocol on 20 May. This paper reaffirms the Government’s commitment, first made in the New Decade, New Approach agreement to provide unfettered access for Northern Ireland’s businesses to the rest of the UK. We will legislate to guarantee unfettered access for Northern Ireland businesses to the whole of the UK internal market, and ensure this legislation is in force by 1 January 2021.

On movements from the rest of the UK to Northern Ireland, we will not levy tariffs on goods remaining within the UK customs territory. While there will be some limited additional process on goods arriving in Northern Ireland, delivery and implementation of the Protocol provisions is for the UK (including, where appropriate, devolved Northern Ireland authorities), and this will be conducted taking account of all flexibilities and discretion, and we will make full use of the concept of de-dramatisation.