Lords EU Committee to take evidence from port and Channel Tunnel operators

This evidence session is part of a series of evidence sessions the Committee is holding on end-of-transition readiness.

The session will be held remotely and streamed on Parliament TV.

At 10.30am the Committee will hear from:

• Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive at the British Ports Association
• John Keefe, Director of Public Affairs at Getlink
• Tim Morris, Chief Executive at UK Major Ports Group
• Jean-Marc Puissesseau, Chief Executive at Société d’Exploitation des Ports du Détroit (Port of Calais).

The questions the Committee is likely to ask include:

• Will the IT infrastructure at ports and Eurotunnel be in place to facilitate the movement of goods between GB and the EU?
• Will the necessary infrastructure at the border and inland be ready in time for the new arrangements in 2021?
• Are enough HMRC and Border Force staff likely to be trained and in place in time for the end of transition?
• How ready is the Port of Calais for new customs requirements, and what has been the extent of coordination and collaboration with the Port of Dover on preparations for 1 January and beyond?
• Can traders and hauliers shift from Dover-Calais to other, less busy routes or Eurotunnel, in case of congestion?
• Has the Government done enough to ensure the uninterrupted flow of critical goods?

Last week the Committee held two evidence sessions on post-transition customs IT systems and sector preparedness. Both sessions can be watched back on Parliament TV.