Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask Her Majesty's Government what physical arrangements would be necessary to provide a border between the EU and the UK in the Irish Sea.

The UK and the EU have been clear in the Political Declaration that we will seek to negotiate an ambitious economic partnership, including a free trade area for goods that facilitates trade through a new customs arrangement, deep regulatory cooperation, and avoids any tariffs or quotas.

The Declaration recognises that the application of checks and controls between the EU and the UK would depend on the UK’s commitments, including in relation to the level of alignment with EU rules. Obviously we will need to agree the balance as part of the future negotiations.

The Government has been clear, in all circumstances, we seek to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland and we stand by all our commitments including the safeguarding of the constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom.