Contributions
667 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEconomic 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)My apologies, Sir George; I meant that I wanted to correct the interpretation of the hon. Member for Caerphilly of what I said. The measure will extend and apply to Northern…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)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 (Third sitting)Q 116 As we know, the Bill does not in any way change the UK’s foreign policy approach to the middle east. Would you agree that the Bill is in line with the Government’s…07 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Third sitting)Steven? Steven Barrett: Yes, although I hesitate to reply on that because complying with international law is a political position. What I would perhaps like to make clear and…07 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Third sitting)Q I have two questions, so perhaps you can be brief on the first one. The first is quite simple: are you supportive of the BDS movement? Yasmine Ahmed: As a matter of principle…07 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Third sitting)Q You have raised concerns that the Bill may prevent ethical procurement decisions, but would you not agree that there is nothing in the Bill that prevents, for instance, the…07 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Third sitting)Q Today we will be hearing from Richard Hermer KC, who has provided legal advice to the Labour party. Could you quickly give your views on that advice? I turn to Jonathan, since…07 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Third sitting)Q The BDS movement almost exclusively targets Israel. Can you talk about the effect of the BDS movement on the Jewish community and on community cohesion? Melanie Phillips: Many…07 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Third sitting)Q In your advice, you argue that the Bill places unprecedented restrictions on public authorities, but would you not agree that there are already substantial restrictions on…07 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Third sitting)I just have a quick segue from that.07 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Third sitting)Q I have one quick follow-up question. There has been a lot of talk about clause 4, which prohibits statements of intent to boycott. Would you agree that we need clause 4, because…07 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)Q So that I understand your position, do you think that BDS is additive in the middle east? Every witness we have heard so far says that BDS does not add anything to the situation…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)Q Do you think that the BDS movement has contributed towards peace in the middle east? Mark Beacon: If you look at the situation now and how it has eroded and if you look at the…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)Q Just to summarise, you would want clarification on that point and on councillors acting in their own capacity. Stephen Cragg: If that is the intention—that legal professional…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)Q Thank you for being here and sharing your thoughts and experiences, which I imagine are very painful. One of the purposes of the Bill is to say that we should have one foreign…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (First sitting)Q Can you tell us about previous attempts by councils to pass motions to boycott Israel? Do you agree that this legislation will help local councils to remain focused on their…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (First sitting)Q Thank you, Chair. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship. I would like to thank our witnesses for their time and expertise. There have been instances where local…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (First sitting)Q But do you agree that it is not for pension funds to run your own foreign policy? Jon Richards: Our primary aim is our fiduciary duty to deliver pensions, and you will hear us…05 Sept 2023