Contributions
1,068 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTrade Bill (Fourth sitting)I will.18 Jun 2020HANSARDTrade Bill (Fourth sitting)Again, I am grateful. We should take my hon. Friend’s question seriously, because if we have a procurement system that encourages a greater carbon footprint in our food supplies,…18 Jun 2020HANSARDTrade Bill (Fourth sitting)I thank my hon. Friend. That is absolutely right, and there are a number of good examples. Unfortunately, the evidence is there that we did not adopt a life cycle-costing approach…18 Jun 2020HANSARDTrade Bill (Fourth sitting)I thank my hon. Friend for providing an excellent example in the renewable energy sector of just how important it is that we do as we say and that we are strongly committed…18 Jun 2020HANSARDTrade Bill (Fourth sitting)It was you. I knew you wouldn’t sit there quietly. I am glad that the Minister did mention it, because he is absolutely right, but without the support of the regulations, it is…18 Jun 2020HANSARDFree Trade Agreements: Environmental Protection StandardsFood standards were not a matter for the Agriculture Bill—at least that is what MPs, including Conservative Back Benchers, were told on Report. They were told that they would be…18 Jun 2020HANSARDTrade Bill (Fourth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Graham. The hon. Member for Dundee East has made some important observations about our proceedings, which I agree with. We…18 Jun 2020HANSARDTrade Bill (Fourth sitting)I am very glad that the hon. Gentleman’s constituents’ companies have been successful in contracting with the Government, but the fact remains that in the experience of my hon.…18 Jun 2020HANSARDTrade Bill (Fourth sitting)I am grateful to my hon. Friend. He said that smaller organisations find it difficult to win contracts, and that is why the Government have to use their authority and make sure…18 Jun 2020HANSARDTrade Bill (Third sitting)Q Are there any concerns about what has gone through in the agreements that have passed already? Sam Lowe: I cannot confess to have looked at the text of every single one, but one…18 Jun 2020HANSARDTrade Bill (Third sitting)Q Good afternoon, Nick Ashton-Hart. Thank you for joining us. Give us your impression of the Trade Bill as it currently stands. In particular, please concentrate on the elements…18 Jun 2020HANSARDTrade Bill (Third sitting)Q Good afternoon, Mr Lowe. Thank you for giving evidence. Can you talk us through your view of the Bill? Perhaps you could say a bit about the provisions on the GPA and the…18 Jun 2020HANSARDTrade Bill (Fourth sitting)I am glad that my hon. Friend has mentioned investment treaties; they absolutely should be part of the description given in clause 4. Does he agree that that is not least because…18 Jun 2020HANSARDTrade Bill (Third sitting)Q Thank you, Ms Cummins. Good morning, Tom and David. Tom, you just talked about the chance to redefine trade agreements. For starters, can you talk us through the government…18 Jun 2020HANSARDTrade Bill (Fourth sitting)I think this is the first time in the Minister’s parliamentary career that he has ever admitted he was wrong— [ Laughter. ] I give him credit for being gracious enough to do so.…18 Jun 2020HANSARDTrade Bill (Fourth sitting)Thank you, Sir Graham. My hon. Friend is right to raise this issue, because it is absolutely relevant to amendment 24, which deals with “labour market interventions and compliance…18 Jun 2020HANSARDTrade Bill (Fourth sitting)You will be pleased to learn, Sir Graham, that I have no intention of repeating exactly the same debate. I will just repeat what I said in response to the Minister—I think he was…18 Jun 2020HANSARDTrade Bill (Fourth sitting)Don’t do that now.18 Jun 2020HANSARDTrade Bill (Fourth sitting)I thank my hon. Friend for that excellent example of why ILO obligations matter. She is absolutely right that it is about paying decent wages, but of course one of the…18 Jun 2020HANSARDTrade Bill (Fourth sitting)Yes, and that is why it is important that we maintain as a minimum not just the GPA regulations but the Public Contract Regulations 2015, that they are renewed and that we look to…18 Jun 2020