Wednesday Volume 671 5 February 2020 No. 22 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday 5 February 2020 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2020 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 295 5 FEBRUARY 2020 296 Mr Walker: The Government have put Northern Ireland House of Commons absolutely at the centre of this process. That is reflected in the nature of the protocol that is agreed as part of the withdrawal agreement and legislated for through the Wednesday 5 February 2020 European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2020. But of course the end result will depend on the free trade agreement negotiated between the UK and the EU, and it is too The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock early at this stage to speculate on the details of that. Northern Ireland does enjoy special protections in this PRAYERS process as a result of the protocol. Tony Lloyd (Rochdale) (Lab): The Minister was very careful not to answer my hon. Friend the Member for [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Ilford North (Wes Streeting) as to whether there will be checks on goods travelling between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The First Minister is clear that there will be. The EU negotiator, Michel Barnier, is clear that Oral Answers to Questions there will be. Many people in industry and commerce in Northern Ireland believe that there will be. Does the Minister agree that there will be checks, or does he NORTHERN IRELAND say that there will not be checks, on goods going from GB to Northern Ireland? The Secretary of State was asked— Mr Walker: The Prime Minister has been clear. Beyond Leaving the EU: Economic and Social Effect our obligations under international law, there will be no changes for movements of goods between Great Britain 1. Wes Streeting (Ilford North) (Lab): What recent and Northern Ireland. When discussing the protocol assessment his Department has made of the (a) economic with the EU, the UK will be ambitious on how flexible and (b) social effect on Northern Ireland of the UK we can make this system. Northern Ireland remains leaving the EU. [900560] part of the UK’s customs territory. 14. Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): What Tony Lloyd: The Minister is of course right that the recent assessment his Department has made of the Prime Minister has been crystal clear. The very simple (a) economic and (b) social effect on Northern Ireland question for the Minister is this: is the Prime Minister of the UK leaving the EU. [900573] right or wrong? The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Mr Walker: The Prime Minister is always right. Ireland (Mr Robin Walker): We have now left the EU with a good deal. Northern Ireland will remain part of Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire) (Con): One of the UK customs territory and will be able to participate the ways of consolidating the benefits of leaving the EU in our free trade deals. The Prime Minister negotiated would be to make Northern Ireland the most attractive hard to ensure that measures are in place that reflect part of the UK to trade. When I was Secretary of State, Northern Ireland’s unique circumstances. There will be we had an all-party campaign that had the support of no hard border with Ireland. At the same time, the all the business community. Thanks to the tremendous agreement completely safeguards Northern Ireland’s efforts of my successor, my right hon. Friend the Member integral place within the United Kingdom, and the for Chipping Barnet (Theresa Villiers), the Executive arrangements on rights and consent within the Belfast/Good now have the power to reduce corporation tax. Some Friday agreement. Members of the Executive are a bit gloomy about this. What steps are the Government taking to encourage Wes Streeting: The Prime Minister got the majority Members of the Executive to take this amazing power he asked for to deliver the Brexit that he wanted, but is to match corporation tax in the Republic of Ireland? it really possible for him to deliver on his promise that there would be no forms and no checks—no barriers of Mr Walker: My right hon. Friend makes a very any kind—not just between Great Britain and Northern important point—of course, he speaks with considerable Ireland but between the north of Ireland and the Republic experience in this area. It is right that we agreed, as part of Ireland? of previous agreements, that the Executive should have that power. If Ministers from the Executive wish to use Mr Walker: The protocol provides important protections it, we stand ready to engage with them, as long as they in that respect. Of course we will be working through can show that the finances of the Northern Ireland the Joint Committee, and through the legislation that Executive will be sustainable on the basis of any move has been promised with the “New Decade, New Approach” in corporation tax. agreement, to deliver on those promises. Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): Will my hon. Alex Cunningham: The Government’s assessment of Friend confirm that the special status that Northern the economic impact of the withdrawal agreement had Ireland has, now that we have left the European Union, little by way of forecasts in terms of Northern Ireland. means that there is a bright new future for all the people Does the Minister agree that this shows the lack of in Northern Ireland, and that that future should be regard that the Government have shown to Northern embraced, not greeted with the doom and gloom from Ireland throughout the Brexit process? Labour? 297 Oral Answers 5 FEBRUARY 2020 Oral Answers 298 Mr Walker: My hon. Friend makes a powerful point. Kirsten Oswald (East Renfrewshire) (SNP): Will the What I see when I visit businesses in Northern Ireland is Secretary of State confirm that all the welcome financial a determination to deliver for the economy to make sure assistance being made available to the new Northern that people in Northern Ireland enjoy the benefits both Ireland Executive will be subject to the Barnett formula? of being part of a global and outward-looking UK and Will he also say what discussions he has had with the of getting the best relationship with our European Secretary of State for Scotland on this matter? neighbours. That is an endeavour on which we must all now work together. Julian Smith: I think that the hon. Lady knows that this package is a unique package for Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Executive: Financial Package and is not subject to the Barnett consequentials. She also knows that there is a very, very good Secretary of State for Scotland, who enjoys working positively with 2. Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): What assessment her and her colleagues. he has made of the adequacy of the financial package allocated to the Northern Ireland Executive. [900561] Karin Smyth (Bristol South) (Lab): There is some discussion about exactly what £2 billion extra means 7. Ben Bradley (Mansfield) (Con): How much funding among the parties in Northern Ireland, and it is important the Government plan to allocate to the Northern Ireland that the Government maintain trust with the people of Executive in relation to the “New Decade, New Approach” Northern Ireland to honour financial and economic agreement. [900566] commitments. In the wake of the renewable heat incentive scandal it is important that the Government ensure The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Julian transparency and value for taxpayers’ money. Can the Smith): The UK Government are providing the restored Secretary of State tell us what investment is required to Executive with a £2 billion financial package that delivers fund the Bengoa review, and what assessment has been for the people of Northern Ireland and supports delivery made of savings from delivering an integrated education of the “New Decade, New Approach” agreement. This service? financial commitment represents the biggest injection of new money in a Northern Ireland talks deal in well Julian Smith: The answers are to be found with the over a decade. The £2 billion of extra investment gives Executive. It is up to the devolved Government to look the Executive the means to transform the lives of people at how best to spend the package. It is up to the parties in Northern Ireland for a generation. and the Executive to work through how they deliver on their side of the agreement, which is to transform both Jim Shannon: In January 2020, when making a statement the health service and education. It is not for me to come about the “New Decade, New Approach” deal, the up with those answers, but I look forward to hearing Secretary of State told the House that the financial theirs. package was a good start. I love a good start, but I also like good progress. Will he update the House on what Security Situation progress has been made in building on the good start to ensure investment in better mental health services and 3. Robert Largan (High Peak) (Con): What recent dealing with the legacy of the past? assessment he has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland. [900562] Julian Smith: Indeed, the hon. Gentleman is right. There has been a very good start, and there have been 8. Damien Moore (Southport) (Con): What recent multiple meetings here in Whitehall with joint Ministers. assessment he has made of the security situation in We have had a Joint Ministerial Committee in Cardiff, Northern Ireland.