Mr. Stephen Kinnock:

My colleagues have covered a great deal of ground but I will briefly add to the discussion on the deal and the negotiations. I fully welcome any move to take the pragmatic steps that need to be taken. A deal is there to be done although it is clear both sides will have to compromise. We will hear more from Mr. Michael Gove regarding the detail of what has been agreed in respect of the Northern Ireland protocol, but it appears that pragmatic compromises have been made. It is interesting to note that EU customs officials will be stationed in Northern Ireland. I am not quite sure how that squares with the very purist interpretation of sovereignty some have applied to these negotiations. Nevertheless, it has been agreed and will clearly need to happen to make this whole deal workable.

On the impact of the UK Internal Market Bill on devolution, I completely agree with what Dr. Whitford has just said about the impact on the relationship between the UK Government and the devolved administrations.

It undermines trust and the ability to co-operate and communicate in a constructive manner. We are worried that it could initiate a race to the bottom towards the lowest common denominator, in that, as goods enter the UK market, they become the standard across the board. We are also concerned about it being a power grab in Wales, with UK Government ministers essentially being given the power to change the basic rules without the approval of the devolved parliaments and, in some cases, without even having to consult them. We are worried that the hard-won rights and standards of Welsh producers, who are proud of the fact that Wales produces to the highest possible standards, could be undermined and different ones imposed by the UK Government almost by diktat. The response from the Welsh Government and Welsh Members of Parliament is deep concern about the impact of the Internal Market Bill on devolution and what it means for a modern 21st century governance arrangement, which has to be based on co-operation and communication, not imposition.