Contributions
667 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fifth sitting)Amendments 5 and 6 would remove from the Bill the references to Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the occupied Golan Heights. All Committee members can agree that…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fifth sitting)I shall start by explaining why we do not support amendment 24, and I will then explain why we feel strongly that clause 4 needs to stand part of the Bill. I will address a few of…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fourth sitting)That is a very good point. This amendment carries the risk of allowing a multitude of different statements on human rights, without any consistency, resulting in the community…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fifth sitting)I agree. That is the distinction between representing a public body and speaking as an individual, even if someone is an elected councillor.12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fifth sitting)I will go into detail on it. Give me one minute and I will go through all those scenarios.12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fourth sitting)The hon. Gentleman alludes to the difference between how we treat private and public bodies. There is a very good fundamental reason for that: we want there to be one UK foreign…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fifth sitting)On the point about what a newspaper may or may not infer, clearly for there to be enforcement it needs to be proved. We will go on to talk about enforcement later, but I think…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fifth sitting)I urge the Committee to reject the amendments. Let me explain why. Amendment 8 would establish the Office for Local Government as the enforcement authority in relation to a…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fifth sitting)The Bill is not distinguishing between personas, individual or public. It is a sentiment that I am giving as an individual, as opposed to doing so as leader of my council or head…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fourth sitting)I completely agree that foreign policy should be determined by Government. I would like to point out the definition of a territorial consideration in clause 1(3): “A ‘territorial…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fourth sitting)The purpose of the Bill is to ensure that we do not have any public authorities, whether that is Scottish Government Ministers, Scottish local authorities or English local…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fourth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir George, with other hon. Members from all parties. The Bill is an important piece of legislation that has been brought to…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fifth sitting)This very much has the advantage of preventing Leicester City Council from making such a declaration. So anyone representing the views of Leicester City Council and saying, “I am…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fourth sitting)I shall begin by addressing amendments 15 to 17—12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fourth sitting)I shall begin by addressing amendments 15, 16 and 17. The amendments would remove references in clause 17 that extend the Bill to Scotland. The amendments also remove a reference…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fourth sitting)I was going to explain that, but I will give the condensed version: we will put it into the explanatory notes. We will give further clarity in those notes. Amendment 32 could…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fourth sitting)No, I want to continue to make these points for the sake of clarity and address some of the issues. Similarly, a Scottish Government Minister could say they oppose the Iraq war.…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fourth sitting)Let me continue, please. I will come on to address a few of the points in relation to procurement and divestment when it represents political and moral disapproval of a foreign…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fourth sitting)I will go on to address that, but to give the hon. Gentleman a simple answer now, if an individual is talking on behalf of a local authority, that is captured by the Bill. If a…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fifth sitting)I am going to go into the detail on some points, and then I will take questions. This clause does not impact an individual’s freedom to express a view. It is clear that…12 Sept 2023