Whole Day Download the Hansard
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Wednesday Volume 620 1 February 2017 No. 103 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday 1 February 2017 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2017 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 1005 1 FEBRUARY 2017 1006 Mr Speaker: Thank you very much indeed. All House of Commons compliments gratefully accepted. Wednesday 1 February 2017 Ian Blackford: A hard border would be disastrous for communities that live along that border, especially in economic terms. What assurances can the Secretary of The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock State offer that the common travel area will be top of the agenda in any Brexit negotiations? Will it be more PRAYERS important than restricting the freedom of movement elsewhere in the UK, for instance? Will Ministers assure us that the common travel area is part of any trade deal [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] done with the European Union? James Brokenshire: I have already indicated the priority BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS that is given to securing the common travel area. This is a very strong commitment that this Government have MIDDLE LEVEL BILL given, and a point that I have underlined on many Motion made, That the Bill be now read a Second occasions. It is also a shared intent with ourselves, the time. Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. It is therefore with that approach, and with that shared Hon. Members: Object. will, that we look to the negotiations ahead, getting the Bill to be read a Second time on Wednesday 8 February. common travel area secured and seeing that frictionless border that is equally important to the politics and life of Northern Ireland. Oral Answers to Questions Carol Monaghan: Will the common travel area be the UK’s only area of free travel with the EU or will it be free trade and free travel? NORTHERN IRELAND James Brokenshire: As I have said, the priority, as set out in the 12 points that the Prime Minister made in her The Secretary of State was asked— speech, was securing the common travel area. That has served us over so many years, dating back to the 1920s. Leaving the EU: Common Travel Area We believe that it is really important that we seek to attain that, as well as getting frictionless trade in goods, 1. Ian Blackford (Ross, Skye and Lochaber) (SNP): which is also a key priority. What assessment he has made of the effect of the UK’s decision to leave the EU on the future of the Common Kevin Foster (Torbay) (Con): I welcome the Government’s Travel Area between Northern Ireland and the Republic determination to maintain the common travel area across of Ireland. [908413] our islands. Does the Secretary of State agree that the friendly relations it symbolises could only be strengthened 3. Carol Monaghan (Glasgow North West) (SNP): by the Republic joining the Commonwealth as an associate What assessment he has made of the effect of the UK’s member, as suggested by Senator Frank Feighan during decision to leave the EU on the future of the Common his visit to the House yesterday? Travel Area between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. [908415] James Brokenshire: Obviously that is a matter for the Irish Government, but the point that my hon. Friend James Brokenshire: Before I answer, I would remind makes about strong, friendly relationships between ourselves the House that this is the final Northern Ireland questions and the Irish Government is well made. It was with that before the Assembly election on 2 March. These are intent, and with that theme, that the Prime Minister met critical elections for the future of Northern Ireland, and the Taoiseach earlier this week and underlined the I would urge the parties to conduct the campaign in a importance of continuing to work together to get the manner that allows for the speediest return to partnership best outcome for Northern Ireland and for the island of government. Only power-sharing government will deliver Ireland. the political stability that the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland want to see, and which remains the Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): Does my right hon. priority for this Government to secure. Friend agree that while this Government are committed As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made to the free movement of people and goods across the clear, maintaining the common travel area is one of the whole of Ireland, it is also important that the European Government’s 12 priorities in negotiating exit from the Union should do its bit to see Ireland right as well? EU. It is the Government’s intention to deliver a practical solution that allows the maintenance of the common James Brokenshire: The European Union and member travel area while protecting the integrity of the UK’s states recognise the significance of Northern Ireland, immigration system. and the significance of the politics on the island of Ireland. Indeed, we have seen investment and political Ian Blackford: Mòran taing, Mr Speaker—thank you, engagement from within the European Union. We will good morning. continue to underline that in the negotiations ahead, 1007 Oral Answers 1 FEBRUARY 2017 Oral Answers 1008 and that is why I remain positive that we can secure a assessment has the Secretary of State made of the effect good deal for Northern Ireland within the UK but of exiting the customs union on the movement of goods outside the EU. and services between Northern Ireland and the Republic? 11. [908423] John Nicolson (East Dunbartonshire) (SNP): James Brokenshire: As the hon. Gentleman will have Given Ireland’s immigration criteria, and how different seen, the Prime Minister’s speech underlined the clear they are from the UK’s, I do not quite understand how desire of the Government in the negotiations ahead to anyone can stop European Union citizens from get the best possible trading arrangements with the travelling through Ireland and on to the UK. Can the European Union and therefore we are reflecting on how right hon. Gentleman spell it out for us? we do that, whether that is some form of membership of a customs union or a bespoke customs agreement. James Brokenshire: There is broad alignment of policy He should be intent on our desire to get that deal and to in relation to the Republic of Ireland and the UK. That see a frictionless border between Northern Ireland and has been part of the bedrock of the common travel area the Republic of Ireland. and its existence over many years. Indeed, it is an aspect of how we have sought to create new visa issues in Danny Kinahan (South Antrim) (UUP): I welcome relation to China that have allowed travel to Ireland and the comments of the Secretary of State on having an also to the United Kingdom, and how co-operation election that produces parties that want to work together, between ourselves and the Irish Government is very because that is exactly what we want. When it comes to good. the common travel area, have we looked at the legal implications, not just within other Departments but in 15. [908427] Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) how it is respected by Europe itself? Does it really exist (SNP): Post-Brexit, common travel area, no hard there? Do they see it as a law that stands in place? border: a Polish family moves to Ireland. Will they have free movement into Northern Ireland? If not, how does James Brokenshire: The hon. Gentleman may be that square with Ireland being a member of the interested to know that the ability for the Republic of European Union? Ireland and the United Kingdom to make arrangements in relation to the common travel area has been recognised James Brokenshire: As I have indicated to the House in previous EU agreements. It is therefore that approach this morning, we are committed to securing the common that we take in securing the future of the common travel travel area and, yes, we are also committed to dealing area and underlining its importance to our European with issues of immigration, which were at the forefront partners. I am positive that we can do that. of the campaign. The Home Office is working on the detail of a new immigration policy that I am sure will be Inward Investment a matter of debate in the House in future. 2. Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab): What Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) (DUP): The Government assessment he has made of the effect of the political have rightly sought to identify the issues that affect situation on inward investment into Northern Ireland. different regions and sectors of the economy and to [908414] build those into their negotiating position. Regardless of the common travel area, can the Secretary of State The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern assure us that all parts of the United Kingdom will Ireland (Kris Hopkins): The economy in Northern Ireland leave the EU on an equal basis and that no special continues to grow. Since 2010, there are 54,000 more arrangements, different conditions or special circumstances people in work and, over the year, the employment rate will be afforded to Northern Ireland that would weaken has increased and the claimant count has now fallen for our position within the United Kingdom and treat us the ninth consecutive month. The Government are differently from other parts of it? committed to working with the Northern Ireland parties to bring about political stability.