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Wednesday Volume 638 21 March 2018 No. 115 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday 21 March 2018 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2018 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 259 21 MARCH 2018 260 that has not already been published. Will she also House of Commons confirm that there is a disparity when there is no mention in this Chamber or elsewhere of the dark Wednesday 21 March 2018 money received by Northern Ireland parties from foreign jurisdictions? This is the only place where that is allowed to occur, and it should stop. The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock Karen Bradley: I firmly believe that transparency is the important thing that we have here. We should all PRAYERS know where money is coming from, and I understand the hon. Gentleman’s comments. [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Lady Hermon (North Down) (Ind): I am very interested to hear the Secretary of State’s explanation of why the Northern Ireland Office deliberately and wilfully ignored Oral Answers to Questions the advice and recommendations of the Electoral Commission that the publication of donations to political parties in Northern Ireland should be backdated to 2014, not 2017. NORTHERN IRELAND Karen Bradley: There was no wilful ignoring or anything The Secretary of State was asked— else. My predecessor consulted all the parties in Northern Ireland and there was broad support for July 2017. Political Parties: Loans and Donations Deidre Brock (Edinburgh North and Leith) (SNP): 1. Layla Moran (Oxford West and Abingdon) (LD): We know about one questionable donation that was For what reasons the decision was made to publish channelled from Scotland through the Democratic Unionist information about loans and donations given to Northern party to be used in the Brexit referendum. People are Ireland political parties dating back to July 2017 rather rightly asking what the original source of that money than 2014. [904409] was and whether there are others that we do not know about. If the Secretary of State will not consider revising The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Karen the recent decision to limit transparency by taking it Bradley): The recent publication by the Electoral back to 2014, will she bring forward legislation to allow Commission of donations and loans data for Northern the individual parties to instruct the Electoral Commission Ireland parties is a positive step that should be welcomed to reveal their donation data? by the whole House.The decision to backdate transparency was taken on the basis of broad support from the Karen Bradley: As I have said, we are keen to ensure majority of political parties in Northern Ireland. that there is transparency, but the question the hon. Lady asks is a matter for political parties themselves, Layla Moran: It has recently been revealed that a not the Government. portion of the largest ever political donation given to a party in Northern Ireland was spent on services linked Leaving the EU: Discussions with Political Parties to Cambridge Analytica. In the light of that, should not the Secretary of State backdate transparency regulations 2. Michelle Donelan (Chippenham) (Con): What recent to 2014, so that we can finally have full disclosure about discussions she has had with Northern Ireland political where that cash came from? parties on the UK leaving the EU. [904410] Karen Bradley: As I say, the decision to backdate to 8. Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con): What recent July 2017 was taken due to the broad support of the discussions she has had with Northern Ireland political majority of parties in Northern Ireland. My predecessor, parties on the UK leaving the EU. [904416] my right hon. Friend the Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup (James Brokenshire), took time to consult the The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern parties, and July 2017 was the date that they wished to Ireland (Mr Shailesh Vara): The Secretary of State and I start the transparency from. have regular conversations with the Northern Ireland political parties on a range of issues. This includes Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): I think that my matters relating to the UK’s departure from the European right hon. Friend has already answered the question I Union. As we have said repeatedly, these conversations wanted to ask: did all the parties agree not to take it are no replacement for a fully functioning, locally elected back to 2014? and democratically accountable Executive. That is what the people of Northern Ireland need, and that is what Karen Bradley: As I say, my predecessor consulted all we are focused on. the parties, and this position was supported by the broad majority of them. Michelle Donelan: Does my hon. Friend agree that as we leave the EU, it is essential that current levels of Gavin Robinson (Belfast East) (DUP): The Secretary security and co-operation between the UK and Ireland, of State will be able to confirm that even if the regulations which are so important in the fight against terrorism, did go back to 2014, no information would be published are maintained and enhanced? 261 Oral Answers 21 MARCH 2018 Oral Answers 262 Mr Vara: I agree wholeheartedly with my hon. Friend. Members. Should he not therefore acknowledge the All parties have been clear that there will not be any problems and tell the House that the only way to avoid a disruption to north-south security co-operation when it hard border is for us to stay within the customs union comes to policing and tackling the terrorist threat. I and the single market? applaud the incredible work done by the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Garda to keep us safe. Mr Vara: The people of Britain—England, Scotland, That will not change after our EU exit. Northern Ireland and Wales—collectively agreed to leave the single market and customs union, and that will Alex Chalk: Will my hon. Friend assure the House be the case. As for the border, the December joint report that as the UK, including Northern Ireland, leaves the made it absolutely clear that there will be no physical EU, this Government’s commitment to the Belfast infrastructure and no hard border. There will be a agreement remains steadfast? frictionless border, and that is what is being negotiated and discussed. Mr Vara: Yes. I can categorically provide my hon. Friend with the commitment that he seeks. Our negotiating Leaving the EU: Cross-border Trade strategy puts our support for the Belfast agreement at the heart of our approach to the Northern Ireland-Ireland 3. Carol Monaghan (Glasgow North West) (SNP): dialogue. As the Prime Minister and others have said on What recent discussions she has had with the Irish numerous occasions, we will continue to abide by the Government on cross-border trade after the UK leaves UK’s commitments in the Belfast agreement. the EU. [904411] Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): Given the meeting 5. Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) on Monday between the Secretary of State for Exiting (SNP): What recent discussions she has had with the the European Union and Michel Barnier,will the Minister Irish Government on cross-border trade after the UK confirm that it remains the Government’s clear position leaves the EU. [904413] that the so-called backstop arrangement proposed by the EU Commission is something that no British Prime 6. Peter Grant (Glenrothes) (SNP): What recent Minister or Government could ever agree to? discussions she has had with the Irish Government on cross-border trade after the UK leaves the EU. [904414] Mr Vara: The Prime Minister has made her views absolutely clear on that. Our country’s economic and 7. Tommy Sheppard (Edinburgh East) (SNP): What constitutional integrity will not be harmed. recent discussions she has had with the Irish Government on cross-border trade after the UK leaves the EU. Nigel Dodds: I thank the Minister for debunking the [904415] notion that, as a result of the transition arrangements, somehow the Government have reneged on that pledge The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Karen and for confirming that the Government remain firmly Bradley): I have regular conversations with the Irish committed to the constitutional, political and economic Government. We both recognise the importance of the integrity of the UK. Will he ensure that industries such trade that takes place across the island of Ireland, as the Northern Ireland fishing industry are protected which is worth £4 billion to the Northern Ireland economy. after we leave the EU and that we will take back control Equally,Great Britain markets are fundamental to Northern of our territorial waters, including our rights for our Ireland, with sales worth some £14.6 billion. As the fishermen? Prime Minister reinforced in her Mansion House speech, we are committed to protecting both these vital markets. Mr Vara: The right hon. Gentleman makes some very good points. I can confirm that the agreement reached Carol Monaghan: The Tánaiste told the Dáil yesterday in December in the joint report remains, and that Britain that there would be no formal withdrawal agreement will do all that it can to ensure that all our industries, between the EU and the UK if the Irish border issue particularly fisheries,are maintained and that our fishermen was not resolved. The Under-Secretary of State for and the industry are well looked after. Northern Ireland, the hon. Member for North West Cambridgeshire (Mr Vara), has already said this morning Owen Smith (Pontypridd) (Lab): I am sure that one that there will be no hard border, but will the Secretary issue the Minister and the Secretary of State will have of State explain how that will come about? discussed with the political parties in Northern Ireland is the problems they see with a hard border returning in Karen Bradley: I do not think that the hon.