Contributions
667 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (First sitting)Q Absolutely. Jo, do you want to come in on those questions? Jo Donnelly: It is not a technical matter. My role here today is to assist you on the technical pension side of things.05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)Q I am very sorry to hear what has happened to your sister and brother, and I appreciate your passion. The upcoming procurement legislation will further strengthen our approach to…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (First sitting)Q Great. Some may argue that the existing legislation is confusing and not comprehensive enough, as it does not deal with divestments—it deals with investment procurement…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (First sitting)Q But you are happy that, given clear guidance on the harmony between the Procurement Bill and this Bill, this is very operable. Jo Donnelly: On the procurement side, yes.05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)There will be the ability to exclude on modern slavery and labour misconduct grounds under the Procurement Bill and in this Bill, but perhaps, in the interest of time, I should…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)Q In your written evidence, you raise concerns that the Bill could prevent ethical procurement or divestment decisions. Do you acknowledge that there are exemptions for the likes…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (First sitting)Absolutely, yes. Jon Richards: But not on the pension side. That is the difference: with procurement and pensions, this Bill will have a different impact on the ability in…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)Q The Government’s assessment is that the Bill does not breach anyone’s rights under article 10 of the ECHR. The ban applies only to the public functions of bodies defined as…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (First sitting)Clearly, this Bill is not—05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (First sitting)Q Indeed. I just have one final question on the regulator. We have the Pensions Regulator in the Bill as the appropriate body for enforcing the ban, and they are clearly…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)Q Thank you. The Bill provides powers for enforcement authorities to issue compliance notices and investigate and fine public bodies where there is a breach of the ban. These…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (First sitting)Thank you, Chair.05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)Q The Bill will apply to all countries; the only reference to Israel is that if in future you want to exempt countries, that can be done by secondary legislation except in the…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (First sitting)Q Can you set out why you think that this legislation is necessary and also touch on the links between BDS campaigns and antisemitism? Russell Langer: Sure. The boycott,…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)Q On the legally privileged point, the Government’s view is that the information power does not extend to legally privileged information, on the back of the fact that that is a…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (First sitting)Q I have one more question. Clause 4 prohibits a statement of intent to boycott. Do you agree that that is a necessary addition to the Bill? One further question on enforcement:…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)Q Do you think that one local authority in the UK can raise that up the public agenda? We have seen with Russia and Ukraine that we need concerted international action at a…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (First sitting)Q There are exceptions in the Bill that permit investment decisions, such as labour market misconduct or environmental misconduct. Do you think that those are appropriate and are…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)Q One of the motivations for the Bill was to have one reserved foreign policy. Given that, do you agree that it is vital that this ban applies to the devolved Administrations and…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (First sitting)Q One final, holistic question: are you supportive of the Bill and why? Councillor Deering: I think we are. I think we would support it for the central reason, which is that this…05 Sept 2023