Contributions
1,299 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAgricultural PolicyMy hon. Friend is absolutely right—I am still trying to work out what the first three agricultural revolutions were, but I fully support his sentiment. The Bill constitutes the…24 Jan 2019HANSARDAgricultural PolicyWe continue to have regular conversations across the Government and with ministerial colleagues on all aspects of exiting the European Union, and agricultural policy is a key part…24 Jan 2019HANSARDContingency Planning: No DealThe Department obviously engages closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure that local authorities are prepared for EU exit in any scenario.…24 Jan 2019HANSARDScientific, Cultural and Educational ProgrammesI would of course be very happy to undertake conversations with my right hon. Friend on the hon. Gentleman’s behalf, and I suggest that perhaps the hon. Gentleman takes part in…24 Jan 2019HANSARDScientific, Cultural and Educational ProgrammesI pay tribute to my hon. Friend, who is a cultural ambassador for this country, for the great work she does in promoting the performing arts. It is absolutely the intention of Her…24 Jan 2019HANSARDScientific, Cultural and Educational ProgrammesOf course, we are seeking to reach an agreement with the EU so that UK organisations can continue to participate in Erasmus. We are committed to that. As my hon. Friend will know,…24 Jan 2019HANSARDScientific, Cultural and Educational ProgrammesMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular conversations with Cabinet colleagues on all aspects of EU exit, and in particular science, culture and education. The best…24 Jan 2019HANSARDBusiness CommunityI absolutely agree with my hon. Friend, and at this very moment we are negotiating the precise arrangements. She is right to mention the withdrawal agreement, because extensive…24 Jan 2019HANSARDBusiness CommunityThe Department has conducted more than 500 meetings with stakeholders, including businesses of all sizes and descriptions. Currently, after two months in the job, I am making…24 Jan 2019HANSARDAutomotive SectorAbsolutely. It is a very simple question to answer: people in the automotive sector, the businessmen we talked to—as across many other industries—have all said that they want to…24 Jan 2019HANSARDBusiness CommunityWhen the right hon. Gentleman spoke about “the rich men”, I thought he was referring to his friends in Davos, such as the former Prime Minister, who seems to be very focused on…24 Jan 2019HANSARDContingency Planning: No DealAs I have said many times, the Government’s position is that we will land a deal and ensure that we leave with that deal on 29 March.24 Jan 2019HANSARDContingency Planning: No DealI do not think we recognise the way in which the hon. Lady has characterised the Government’s engagement with local authorities. We have recognised the need for much more…24 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EUThe hon. Gentleman is right to raise that issue. My understanding is that the Government will not seek to extend article 50. That is the Government’s view, but in the light of…14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EUI said to myself, I think about halfway through the debate, that I would keep my remarks brief, because we have had an extensive debate, we have had excellent speeches, and…14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EUThat illustrates exactly what I was going to say—in a funny way, it actually makes my argument for me. Two groups of people who think diametrically opposed things have come…14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EUI am fully aware of the timescale. You are lucky, Mr Davies, that my hour-long speech will have to be curtailed. I wanted to make brief remarks because many of these points have…14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EUI urge the hon. Lady and her Brexiteer colleagues to vote for the deal. I am not speaking as a Government Minister but as a Brexiteer, and my real worry is that Brexit will be…14 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EUWhat was interesting about the hon. Gentleman’s speech was that about halfway through it, I realised I had heard it all in a speech he gave before Christmas. It was eloquent and…14 Jan 2019