Conduct of negotiations

Part of European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill – in the House of Commons at 4:45 pm on 8 February 2017.

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Photo of Charlie Elphicke Charlie Elphicke Conservative, Dover 4:45, 8 February 2017

No, not at the moment.

It is in the interests of Britain and the European Union that we construct a frictionless border, and that is why I am also in discussions with the authorities in Calais. It is in the interests of Britain and France, of Dover and Calais, and of the United Kingdom and the European Union that we ensure that this works. We need to embrace electronic bills of lading, risk-based checking and audits in workplaces. We need to treat the border as a tax point rather than as a hard place with border posts. That is a further answer to Lady Hermon. That is how we can ensure that we continue to have frictionless trade even if we have to leave the customs union. On that note, and given your injunction, Sir Roger, I shall conclude my remarks so that others may speak.