Contributions
2,308 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Checks on Goods: Northern Ireland and Great BritainA moment ago, the right hon. Member for Belfast North (Nigel Dodds) raised the very correct point about the importance of the trade from Northern Ireland into GB, and how much…24 Oct 2019HANSARD Checks on Goods: Northern Ireland and Great BritainMy hon. Friend rightly raises the point about the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. He will know that the text specifically says that there must be regard to “maintaining…24 Oct 2019HANSARD Checks on Goods: Northern Ireland and Great BritainI think that what has shaped these arrangements is something on which I hope the right hon. Gentleman and I can agree. There are unique circumstances in Northern Ireland. That…24 Oct 2019HANSARD Checks on Goods: Northern Ireland and Great BritainIt is 1% from the rest of the world.24 Oct 2019HANSARD Checks on Goods: Northern Ireland and Great BritainMy right hon. Friend is right; as a former Whip, I do not need reminding of the importance of that, not least as he was my Government Chief Whip during my time in the Whips…24 Oct 2019HANSARD Checks on Goods: Northern Ireland and Great BritainI know the hon. Gentleman reflects the very legitimate concerns in his constituency about some of the details, but I do not accept his characterisation of this. The strong…24 Oct 2019HANSARD Checks on Goods: Northern Ireland and Great BritainIt is misrepresenting the issue to say that such things are in jeopardy from a simple form—I have it here—that will need to be filled out. There are legitimate questions about…24 Oct 2019HANSARD Checks on Goods: Northern Ireland and Great BritainSuch issues can quite rightly be discussed in more detail during the passage of the withdrawal agreement Bill. Just to correct things, I slightly misheard the hon. Member for…24 Oct 2019HANSARD Checks on Goods: Northern Ireland and Great BritainAs a senior business figure in his previous career, my hon. Friend understands both the dynamic impact from an economic point of view and also the terms of the agreement, which…24 Oct 2019HANSARD Checks on Goods: Northern Ireland and Great BritainMy hon. Friend, as the Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, raises an important point about what reassurance can be given through the withdrawal agreement Bill to…24 Oct 2019HANSARD Checks on Goods: Northern Ireland and Great BritainThe hon. Gentleman asks some legitimate questions, but I think he finished with an unfair suggestion. The Prime Minister was always told that he would not be able to renegotiate a…24 Oct 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill and Extension LetterWhat I was referring to in those remarks was in line with international obligations. Some practical information will need to be provided electronically on the movement of goods…21 Oct 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill and Extension LetterAs my hon. Friend knows, the Benn legislation was designed to prevent a no-deal exit. The Prime Minister was told that changing the backstop was impossible; he delivered it. He…21 Oct 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill and Extension LetterThe point the hon. Gentleman is missing is that the free trade agreement has still to be negotiated, and what is causing damage to businesses in his constituency and elsewhere is…21 Oct 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill and Extension LetterI very much agree. I do not think the Prime Minister’s view will come as a surprise to colleagues in Europe, as he has been clear from day one that he wanted a deal, despite many…21 Oct 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill and Extension LetterThe hon. Gentleman will get an opportunity to see the withdrawal agreement Bill once the two urgent questions are finished. On amendments, he will be aware that the scope of the…21 Oct 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill and Extension LetterThe hon. Gentleman raises an important point about how we engage with the devolved Assemblies as we take forward the negotiations. It is a fair point and one we are keen to…21 Oct 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill and Extension LetterMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. The House said that it did not believe that the Prime Minister would get a deal, but he did get a deal. The House said that it wanted a…21 Oct 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill and Extension LetterThe reality is that the House will have opportunities to debate the negotiating mandate and to instruct how those negotiations are taken forward. Any modelling for the future will…21 Oct 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill and Extension LetterAs I think is the case with all MPs, there have been occasions when I have, for example, dictated letters to my parliamentary office, and they have been sent out as dictated and…21 Oct 2019