Contributions
2,684 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD EU-UK Partnership: EU’s MandateI am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for making that point. The protocol is part of the withdrawal agreement, but it makes it clear that Northern Ireland is part of the UK…04 Jun 2020HANSARD EU-UK Partnership: EU’s MandateYes, I think it would be a mistake. Different people have sincere views on this matter. For example, the Welsh Assembly Government—Labour—want an extension; the Mayor of…04 Jun 2020HANSARD EU-UK Partnership: EU’s MandateI beg to move, That this House, having regard to the constitutional and legal functions enshrined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and the European Union (Withdrawal…04 Jun 2020HANSARD EU-UK Partnership: EU’s MandateI would like to take this opportunity, as the hon. Gentleman is kind enough to give way, to say that the Paymaster General has indeed stepped up engagement with all the devolved…04 Jun 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: UK ApproachThe whole point of the protocol is that it is part of the withdrawal agreement. We cannot have a no-deal scenario because the withdrawal agreement is a deal. However, in a spirit…20 May 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: UK ApproachNo, I do not accept that. The primacy of the interests of Northern Ireland’s businesses and indeed the primacy of Northern Ireland’s people is at the heart of our approach to…20 May 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: UK ApproachMy right hon. Friend, who was a brilliant Northern Ireland Secretary as well as a brilliant Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is absolutely right.…20 May 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: UK ApproachYes, we absolutely will. Our whole approach is about making sure that the protocol, which of course was unwelcome in many quarters in Northern Ireland, is implemented now that it…20 May 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: UK ApproachSkill, guile and dexterity are all virtues that we associate with the hon. Gentleman, so if he wants to join the Government negotiation team, he would be more than welcome on…20 May 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: UK ApproachThere will not be any customs infrastructure and there will not, save in the specific example of agrifoods and products of animal origin, be the requirement for physical checks of…20 May 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: UK ApproachYes. I am very grateful to my right hon. Friend—we would not have able to make progress in this way if it had not been for him and the “New Decade, New Approach” document, which…20 May 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: UK ApproachYes. I think it was Margaret Thatcher who said that Northern Ireland was “as British as Finchley”, and that has always been my view. It is of course the case that the Belfast…20 May 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: UK ApproachI am very grateful to my right hon. Friend for her question. Let me take this opportunity to pay tribute to her for her work during her time as Prime Minister to ensure that the…20 May 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: UK ApproachYes, we will apply a principle that I know my hon. Friend will recognise, which is KISS—keep it simple, sonny.20 May 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: UK ApproachMy right hon. Friend makes a very good point about the number of checks that are currently required as goods move into the United Kingdom, often from jurisdictions that do not…20 May 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: UK ApproachI do not think we need an extension to make the processes work. We just need good will on all sides.20 May 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: UK ApproachWe will have market surveillance, and if people try to break the law, they will face the consequences.20 May 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: UK ApproachWe will of course work to make sure that IT systems are efficient and compatible and consult with business. In fact, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has a business…20 May 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: UK ApproachI am grateful for the welcome that the hon. Lady gives to the approach that we are taking, and grateful also for her commitment and her party’s commitment to supporting the…20 May 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: UK ApproachThe right hon. Gentleman makes a very good point. It is the case that it is for the UK Government to be responsible for the application and delivery of the protocol. We are one…20 May 2020