Contributions
1,127 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI am sure the noble Lord is aware that this does not have much relevance to today’s Motion, but his comments have been heard.17 Jan 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThe noble Baroness will be aware that all our business next week has been tabled in the greens and has been available to noble Lords. We shall be publishing Forthcoming Business…17 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionI agree with the sentiments expressed by my noble friend and I may well search out that book.14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionAs I have said, I am not going to prejudge what will happen in the House of Commons tomorrow. I am not in a position to do so. We will be working hard to win the vote so that we…14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionNo. As we have said, both the EU and the UK have made it clear that other alternatives are on the table, such as an extension of the implementation period or technological…14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionAs I have said, I am not prejudging the outcome of tomorrow’s vote. I have also said that it has always been our intention to respond quickly and provide certainty if the vote is…14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionI am sorry that that is the view of the noble Lord. The exchange of letters does set out four key assurances. We believe that progress has been made. I repeat, as we have repeated…14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionThe noble Lord is right—which is exactly why the Prime Minister has been working constantly and hard to get a deal on the table that both preserves the unity of the UK and allows…14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionI do not agree. The backstop we have negotiated gives the UK tariff-free access to the EU market without the free movement of people, without financial contributions, without…14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionI can only reiterate that we believe that there is a good deal on the table, which MPs will vote on tomorrow. I hope that they support it so that we can move forward.14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionI can only reiterate what I have said to noble Lords on many occasions. We believe that this is a good deal. We want MPs to vote for that deal. That is what we will continue to…14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionThe EU and, indeed, the Attorney-General have said that these letters do have legal force.14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionThe letter does say that, but it also says that, “the Council’s conclusions of 13 December 2018 would have legal force in international law and thus be relevant and cognisable in…14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionAs we have made very clear, neither the EU nor the UK wants the backstop. We do not want to go into it. The letter reiterates once again other mechanisms such as looking at…14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionI stand by the letter published today by the Attorney-General.14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionThe noble Lord is right that absolutely nobody wants a hard border in Ireland, but the EU has been consistently clear in discussions that it wants an insurance policy. We have…14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionThat is absolutely correct. Until now, we have been talking largely about the withdrawal agreement and the divorce settlement. In the letter published today, one assurance is that…14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionAs we have said, we are working hard to get the deal through for that exact reason. No deal would create issues in Ireland, which is why we have been working so hard to ensure…14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionWe do believe that we can do better than trading under WTO rules, which would mean tariffs and quotas on British goods going to the EU. For instance, trading on WTO rules would…14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionI agree entirely with my noble and learned friend. We do not want a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is why we urge MPs to support the deal.14 Jan 2019