argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend makes an interesting proposal. In the absence of an agreement and a deal between the UK and the EU, clearly we would need to explore everything that could be done at a bilateral level. I am not aware of those discussions as of now, but I am happy to discuss that with Treasury colleagues and write back to him if that is the case.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman makes an important point about not conflating the future relationship with delivery of the protocol. The protocol is agreed between the parties, and we need to deliver on it in all circumstances. I think that many of us in this House hope that an agreement on the future relationship will make that more straightforward. On his point about VAT, I am happy to have those discussions with HMRC and look into that issue in more detail.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is right about the huge importance of flexible and imaginative solutions to deliver on this. That is something to which the EU is committed and the UK is absolutely committed. He is right, of course, that Northern Ireland is as much a part of this United Kingdom as his constituency.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Jacob Young (Conservative, Centre-right): We cannot talk about the Good Friday or Belfast agreement without thinking of my predecessor Dr Mo Mowlam, who was instrumental in achieving the agreement in 1998. Today, preventing a hard border east-west in the Irish sea is just as important as preventing one north-south on the island of Ireland. Does my hon. Friend agree that the EU must take a pragmatic and proportionate approach to any discussions to ensure continued peace and prosperity for all parts of our United Kingdom?
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and he is right to pay tribute to his constituency predecessor in this respect. The Good Friday agreement has always been a careful balance of the interests of the communities in Northern Ireland and the importance of east-west and north-south co-operation. It is vital in delivering the protocol that all parties should continue to respect that.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Foreign Trade
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman will recognise that, when we talk about customs, the protocol is there, in part, to ensure the absence of customs requirements on goods going between GB and Northern Ireland and on goods coming from Northern Ireland into GB. It is essential that we deliver on that. His question on implementation could perhaps more appropriately be discussed with Treasury Ministers. However, I refer him to the point I made in my statement about the IT systems being on track.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Christopher Robert Chope (Conservative, Centre-right): Does my hon. Friend agree that it is very disappointing that the European Union continues to engage in wrecking tactics, which are in breach of both its duty of good faith and its duty of sincere co-operation?
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): Pulling points out of context from what people said in the past is always a dangerous game. I have great faith in our negotiator, and I am sure that he will deliver the best deal he possibly can.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Brendan Clarke-Smith (Conservative, Centre-right): The First Ministers wrote jointly to the EU regarding the application of the protocol, saying it was not intended to impose new costs on food for consumers in Northern Ireland. Will my hon. Friend tell the House when the First Ministers last agreed on a matter relating to Brexit?
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend makes an important point. The Executive have always taken a responsible approach to working together in the interests of Northern Ireland. It says something that there is cross-community agreement on the importance of addressing this. It is therefore vital that both parties work as hard as they can to resolve the issue and make sure that the protocol delivers on what it promised about not impacting everyday life for people in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Foreign Trade
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): All I can say to the hon. Gentleman is that we continue to work closely with DAERA both at ministerial and official level to deliver the necessary arrangements. He will recognise that we are not talking about new customs infrastructure. We are talking about an expansion of existing facilities to make sure that we can meet the SPS requirements, and I think that it is something on which we can absolutely deliver.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Foreign Trade
Robert Alexander Stewart (Conservative, Centre-right): Assuming there was a free trade agreement, I suppose there will still have to be some checks—for example, on quality of goods—within the United Kingdom. Will the Minister reassure me that any official who works doing such minimal checks is actually British?
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Foreign Trade
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): As the hon. Member knows very well, I would love to be able to give him that cast-iron guarantee, but some of it is dependent on negotiations that are ongoing with the European Union. He is talking about trade between the UK and an EU member state. What we will ensure is that we meet our commitment to unfettered access. In that respect, I think his comments on the UKIM Bill are a little naive. We have to ensure that we can deliver on that commitment under all circumstances.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Felicity Christiana Buchan (Conservative, Centre-right): As someone who has links to South Down, can I ask my hon. Friend to assure me that everything is being done to ensure a smooth transition both for businesses and for individuals, and that we are trying to reach agreement with the EU as soon as possible?
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Agriculture
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman raises a hugely important point. I have met many farmers and agrifood producers in Northern Ireland, and I recognise the crucial importance of that industry. The protocol ensures that movements of Northern Ireland produce into the European Union—into the Republic of Ireland—are protected. We deliver on the movement into the rest of the UK through our unfettered access commitment, and we continue to work very closely with DAERA on all these issues.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Robin John Millar (Conservative, Centre-right): As a sovereign nation, it is essential that we complete our transition out of the EU on 31 December with our sovereignty intact. Will my hon. Friend confirm that we can also do that with our Union intact?
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend does really important work with his Union Research Group. I think he is absolutely right that we need to ensure that we deliver on both, and proper implementation of the protocol will ensure that we do so.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): I recognise that the hon. Lady has strong views against our leaving the EU which she has been consistent in demonstrating. It is essential that we deliver on a protocol that is there to protect the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland, and that is absolutely what we will do.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Foreign Trade
Christian Wakeford (Conservative, Centre-right): I recently visited a manufacturer in my constituency called Thumbs Up, which highlighted its concerns about export summary declarations and their impact not only on its business, but on its customers. What work is the Department doing to maintain the frictionless and unfettered movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland to mitigate any impact on businesses such as Thumbs Up in Radcliffe?
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Foreign Trade
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend raises an important point. Where British businesses are selling into Northern Ireland and the intended use of their goods is clearly in the Northern Ireland market, it is, of course, important that we do everything we can to protect them from unnecessary bureaucracy. Discussions on this issue are ongoing with the Joint Committee, and I assure him that we will do whatever is in our power to deliver that frictionless access for businesses in order to ensure that the crucial trade between Britain and Northern Ireland can continue.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Foreign Trade
Michael Jon Wood (Conservative, Centre-right): Any assistance by the EU on the need for export summary declarations for goods moving from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK would not only be contrary to the Good Friday agreement and the 1800 Acts of Union, but would fly in the face of the clear commitment in the withdrawal agreement to ensure unfettered access to such movement. Will my hon. Friend ensure that this unfettered access is protected in all circumstances, whether or not we conclude a trade agreement with the European Union?
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Foreign Trade
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is right to point out that it is crucial that the UK should be able to determine how goods move within its own customs area and internal market. That is why we have taken the steps that we have in respect of the UK internal market to make sure that we have a fall-back and an absolute guarantee that we can deliver unfettered access. I am hopeful that we will be able to reach agreement with the EU on the outstanding issues, and we continue to negotiate in good faith in order to do so and to make sure that unfettered access, as was envisaged in the protocol, is delivered.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): I have been clear on our intention to deliver on the protocol and to meet both our international commitments and our commitments to the people of Northern Ireland in that regard. Indeed, we have already discussed in these exchanges the fact that the protocol is there to protect the Good Friday agreement and the peace arrangements. That is exactly what the US Government have urged us to do, and we shall continue to discuss with them how we are absolutely determined to protect the peace process.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): The recent focus on the Northern Ireland protocol has not just raised questions about our commitment to uphold international law but shone a light on our wider commitment to play a more influential role on the international stage. Does my right hon. Friend agree that, when it comes to re-establishing greater western resolve, 2021 could be a big year for the United Kingdom, as we host COP26 and take on the presidency of the G7, but that that can happen only if we secure a trade deal with the EU, protect our overseas aid budget, complete a costed integrated review and bury the myth that we might consider deliberately breaching international law?
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend is very kind not only to promote me to right hon. but to try to give me responsibility for things way beyond my brief. The UK has a vital role to play on the international scene and it is vital that we meet our commitments with regard to the protocol, which I believe we will do.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): Although, again, I am not responsible for trade negotiations or the relationship with the United States, I recognise that the United States is a crucial investor and partner in Northern Ireland: more than almost any other country, it has invested in the peace process and provided jobs and prosperity in Northern Ireland. We should continue to support that, to work closely with the United States and to make absolutely clear to them our determination to support the peace process and the Good Friday agreement, part of the principles of which the protocol is delivering in terms of the importance of both east-west and north-south arrangements.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Agriculture
Andrew William Murrison (Conservative, Centre-right): The protocol anticipates progress by the Joint Committee on the issue of fisheries relating to Northern Ireland and Ireland; what assurances does the Minister anticipate will be forthcoming on the future relationship that will ensure that UK boats that land fish and shellfish in Northern Ireland will not be subject to tariffs, customs demands or other technical impediments?
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend raises an important point. We will pursue specific solutions for Great Britain vessels with the EU separately. The approach to landing for GB vessels in Northern Ireland is linked to, but not subject to, ongoing discussions with the EU regarding Northern Ireland landings for Northern Ireland vessels within the Joint Committee process.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Foreign Trade
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady raises an important point, and we want to ensure that all Northern Ireland goods that are coming to GB to be used in GB can have that unfettered access. This is still subject to discussions with the EU, and we would hope to make progress on that front, but in the meantime we are delivering on our commitments legislatively through bringing forward the statutory instrument on the definition of Northern Ireland qualifying goods. That will be the first stage in a process to make sure that all Northern Ireland qualifying goods can enjoy unfettered access to the rest of the UK.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Foreign Trade
Richard John Holden (Conservative, Centre-right): The SNP is always seeking to exploit this issue just to further its separatist agenda. Does my hon. Friend agree that the SNP should welcome the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill, which will protect over half a million jobs in Scotland that rely on trade with the rest of the UK, particularly north-east England?
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Foreign Trade
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is right that Scotland, like Northern Ireland, benefits enormously from its trade with the rest of the United Kingdom. It is incumbent on Members from all parts of the House to work together to make sure that we protect and increase that trade.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Agriculture
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend makes an important point. We want to ensure—and the protocol will ensure—that animals can continue to move between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. That is important and reflects existing patterns of trade between the two. With regard to goods coming from Northern Ireland into Great Britain, we of course want to make sure that we provide unfettered access for Northern Ireland qualifying goods, and the definition of that is the crux of my hon. Friend’s question. That is an issue on which we continue to work closely with the agriculture and agrifood industry.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Foreign Trade
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): The right hon. Gentleman is right to draw attention to the concerns of those businesses. We share those concerns and we want to resolve them through the Joint Committee, but as he knows, and as we have shown through the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill, where we need to take steps to protect our commitment to unfettered access and the UK internal market, we will.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Foreign Trade
Suzanne Webb (Conservative, Centre-right): With over 25 years of working, living and breathing importing and exporting, I understand the importance of protecting the unfettered access between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I thank the Minister for his guarantee that it will be protected. Does he agree that all the naysayers do is bring uncertainty to businesses and local economies, and that they need to get on board with the fact that unfettered access will be protected by the UK Government?
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Foreign Trade
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): Absolutely explicitly, there is nothing in the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill that in any way contradicts the Good Friday agreement or our delivery on it. We want to ensure that we can protect the unfettered access to the rest of the UK on which the Northern Ireland economy depends. That is something that the hon. Member and his party should be working with us to deliver.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Aaron Stuart Bell (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the Minister for his answers. Perhaps if we were having this question in a week’s time, we would have some more clarity, because the negotiations are clearly moving to a conclusion. We all hope it will be a successful one. While I recognise that the Minister cannot comment on the details, will he confirm that any permanent EU presence in Northern Ireland will be resisted by the Government and that, while the Commission will have rights of supervision, all checks on agrifood entering Northern Ireland will be conducted by British authorities?
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): I confirm to my hon. Friend that this is something on which we have taken a clear position in the UK-EU Joint Committee. It is for the UK to implement the protocol. As I said to my hon. Friend the Member for Beckenham (Bob Stewart), the details of that implementation should be for UK officials, employees of the UK Government and their partners in the devolved Administrations, not for the EU.
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Foreign Trade
Greg Smith (Conservative, Centre-right): Does my hon. Friend agree that it is in fact because of the necessary measures brought forward by the Government in the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill that there will be legal certainty around the integrity of our Union at the end of the transition and not, as Opposition Members have argued, the other way round?
Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: International Affairs
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): Yes, I wholly agree. It is crucial that we provide that certainty. I have heard time and time again from Northern Ireland businesses about the importance of that certainty to their biggest single market: the rest of the UK. We must deliver on that as we deliver on the wider protocol.
Towns Fund — House of Commons, 2020-11-18
Topic: Government Operations
Robert Edward Jenrick (Conservative, Centre-right): I look forward to receiving a bid from Ellesmere Port in the competitive phase next year. It seems as if the hon. Gentleman wants more of the towns fund, not less, and we can all agree that this is an important investment opportunity for places throughout the country A rigorous and robust procedure was put in place by the Department, before I or any other Minister set foot in the Department. That was then followed; we followed the advice of our excellent civil servants in the Department —it is a pity that the Opposition tried to cast aspersions on them—by selecting the 40 most highly ranked towns and smaller cities that their methodology drew up. It is surprising that the hon. Gentleman has such great enthusiasm for algorithm-based policy making. We have learned in the past year that a degree of judgment and qualitative analysis is also useful. The officials advised just that. They said that in addition to those 40 places we should use our judgment to select other places for inclusion from the list informed by the information and advice that they provided to us, because many of those places were quite finely balanced That is entirely consistent, and is set out in the work that the Department has shared with the National Audit Office. I have seen the recommendations from the Public Accounts Committee and, in the usual way, the Department will respond. The permanent secretary of my Department has made it clear that Ministers followed a rigorous and robust procedure in full. That is quite right, and that is how we will approach the next round of funding All of us on both sides of the House should be able to agree that this fund is important and that these places need investment. We are working very well with Labour councils in these places. The hon. Gentleman says that these are Conservative-voting places. I am afraid that it is not the towns fund that is responsible for the way people have voted in those communities—it is the fact that Labour MPs and successive Labour Governments have let down those communities for too long. More than 60% of the towns and smaller cities that we have invested in have Labour councils, and we are working extremely well with them, whether that is Wolverhampton or St Helens; I am sure we will hear other examples today. I look forward to working with Members on both sides of the House to continue to invest and level up.