Contributions
1,127 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDLeaving the European UnionAs I have said to noble Lords, I am not going to speculate on the decisions of the House of Commons. A Motion is down to which it is very clear MPs will table amendments. There…21 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionThe Prime Minister is being flexible and is looking forward, because she is opening dialogue with MPs and parties across the House of Commons. The purpose of those meetings is to…21 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionObviously, it was a large defeat last week and the Prime Minister has recognised that, which is why she has begun these conversations, along with other senior members of the…21 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionObviously, there was a vote last week which the Government won, so the House of Commons has shown that it has confidence in the Government.21 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionI am afraid that I entirely disagree with the noble Lord. As I have said, the Prime Minister is focused on finding solutions that are negotiable and can command sufficient support…21 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionOn the noble Lord’s first point, the Prime Minister is committed to getting a deal, which is the best way to avoid no deal. That is what she has been pursuing. The talks…21 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionI am afraid that I disagree with the noble Lord. The Government believe that we can do better than trading under WTO rules, which is why we are taking forward the deal. WTO rules…21 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionClearly, the exchange of letters between the Government and the EU last week did not provide the assurances that we hoped for but I reinforce the point that those letters have…21 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionAs my noble and learned friend will know, neither the EU nor the UK wishes to use the backstop. We have already set out a number of other mechanisms that could be used if a deal…21 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionI am surprised that the noble Baroness is not welcoming the guarantee that we will not only not erode protection for workers’ rights and the environment but ensure that the…21 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionI can certainly reassure the noble Baroness that the issue of the border has been absolutely paramount in our minds, which is why the Prime Minister has worked so hard to make…21 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionThat is an extremely interesting and constructive point from the noble and learned Lord. I will make sure that it is fed back through, so that we can ensure that a real…21 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionI thank my noble friend and he is absolutely right: although we are working towards a deal, which is what we want to achieve, all responsible Governments have to prepare for a…21 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionAs I have said—the noble Lord alluded to this—an extension requires the unanimous agreement of all 27 member states, so there is nothing that the UK Government or Parliament can…21 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionI thank the noble Baroness and the noble Lord for their comments. I particularly thank the noble Baroness for her comments about recent events in Northern Ireland. I understand…21 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionMy Lords, with the leave of the House, I will now repeat a Statement made by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister in another place. The Statement is as follows. “Mr…21 Jan 2019HANSARDTrade BillMy Lords, it is the turn of the Conservatives.21 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionWhat I can say to my noble friend is that the Government and all Members involved in these meetings are approaching them in a constructive spirit without preconditions, and…21 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionI do not think that my directly commenting on Commons procedures is helpful. I can certainly say that attempts to remove the Government’s power to negotiate our orderly exit from…21 Jan 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThat the debate on the Motion in the name of Lord Lisvane set down for today shall be limited to 3 hours and that in the name of Baroness Kidron to 2 hours.17 Jan 2019