Contributions
1,165 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDUK-French Trading DisputeI note what my hon. Friend says. I am a bit more optimistic. In this job, we always have to hope that things will get better, and do so now, rather than get worse before they get…28 Oct 2021HANSARDUK-French Trading DisputeWe have been clear with the European Commission that we are abiding by the terms of the trade and co-operation agreement, and we expect it to do the same.28 Oct 2021HANSARDUK-French Trading DisputeMy hon. Friend makes an important point. As France is an EU member state, it is for the European Commission to speak for France on such matters. That is why our first port of call…28 Oct 2021HANSARDUK-French Trading DisputeThat situation arose yesterday but has been brewing probably for the last fortnight. I have had regular discussions with some of my Cabinet colleagues on the matter, notably Lord…28 Oct 2021HANSARDUK-French Trading DisputeAll I can say is that the UK Government stand squarely behind the Scottish fishing industry and always have done. That is why we supported its wish to leave the common fisheries…28 Oct 2021HANSARDUK-French Trading DisputeUnder the terms of the trade and co-operation agreement, I think that is unlikely. Vessels can enter one another’s exclusive economic zone and licences have been issued for that.…28 Oct 2021HANSARDUK-French Trading DisputeI agree that it is disproportionate and not what we would expect of a close ally, as I said in my opening remarks; I am glad my hon. Friend was listening.28 Oct 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe approach that we take is that decisions on whether to cultivate gene-edited crops or, indeed, genetically modified crops would be for the devolved Administrations, but in line…28 Oct 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy officials are investigating the circumstances around the vessel that has been detained in France. It is too early to be able to identify precisely what happened, but I have…28 Oct 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe have doubled the size of the catchment sensitive farming scheme, which supports farmers to reduce pollution on their farms, and we have increased resources to the Environment…28 Oct 2021HANSARDFood and Drink Sector: Labour SupplyI regularly speak to Cabinet colleagues about the current state of the labour market in the food and drink sector. Working across Government, we have extended the seasonal workers…28 Oct 2021HANSARDUK-French Trading DisputeThe UK’s and the Crown dependencies’ approach throughout this year has been to implement the new access requirements of the trade and co-operation agreement in good faith and in a…28 Oct 2021HANSARDUK-French Trading DisputeWhat the hon. Lady says is an absolute nonsense. I work closely with Lord Frost, who is a very able negotiator and stands up for the interests of our country in these discussions.…28 Oct 2021HANSARDUK-French Trading DisputeIt is important to note that, although the hon. Lady refers to this being a trade dispute over trading arrangements, what is actually happening is that the French are threatening…28 Oct 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsI, too, am regularly contacted by schools in my constituency raising concerns around plastics. We have banned certain single-use plastics, we have introduced levies on carrier…28 Oct 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe truth is that the impacts of covid have had an impact on fish prices over the last 18 months. They have gone from a historic high down to quite low levels; they have now…28 Oct 2021HANSARDUK-French Trading DisputeYes, of course.28 Oct 2021HANSARDUK-French Trading DisputeThe UK Government will stand squarely behind Jersey on this matter. As I said, we have worked closely with it on the methodology for issuing licences. We believe that Jersey has…28 Oct 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe position of the UK Government was set out very clearly and comprehensively in the Command Paper we published earlier this summer. We also have specialised committees working…28 Oct 2021HANSARDUK-French Trading DisputeI think what the right hon. Gentleman is saying, in a nutshell, is, “Shouldn’t we just roll over and accept these vessels even though they don’t qualify?” The position of the…28 Oct 2021