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4,729 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBrexit Readiness and Operation YellowhammerI think the noble Baroness has had too much sun during her vacation. I think I am correct in saying that we already have higher caged bird standards—we certainly used to—than most…25 Sept 2019HANSARDExtension of Article 50I can give the noble Lord a categorical assurance that the Government will abide by the law. We write all sorts of letters, to all sorts of people, all of the time. I am sure that…25 Sept 2019HANSARDExtension of Article 50My noble friend is of course correct that it is the Government’s intention to get a deal. However, negotiations are ongoing and I am sure that he will understand, from his time in…25 Sept 2019HANSARDExtension of Article 50We have indeed given extensive thought and consideration to all the possible impacts of no deal. If the noble Earl wishes to stick around until later this afternoon, we will be…25 Sept 2019HANSARDExtension of Article 50The noble Lord is an experienced parliamentarian, so he knows very well the answer he is going to get on this matter. Under the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Act…25 Sept 2019HANSARDBrexit Readiness and Operation YellowhammerI thank the noble Baroness and the noble Lord for their comments. Let me run through their questions in turn, starting with the noble Baroness, Lady Hayter. I repeat what I said…25 Sept 2019HANSARDBrexit Readiness and Operation YellowhammerThose Bills are not essential. We have all the appropriate legislation in place to enable our departure on 31 October. Secondary legislation that we do not yet have in place will…25 Sept 2019HANSARDBrexit Readiness and Operation YellowhammerLet me explain to the noble Lord what these assumptions are all about. The Cabinet’s civil contingencies unit prepares the reasonable worst-case assumptions and then we do our…25 Sept 2019HANSARDBrexit Readiness and Operation YellowhammerWe will of course do our level best to make sure that the flow at the border does not result in any undue delays. There is a considerable amount of effort going into ensuring…25 Sept 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) BillPerhaps it would be helpful for the Committee if I said a few words about the amendment. Both my noble friends Lord Forsyth and Lord True are essentially correct, except in one…06 Sept 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) BillI thank my noble friend for her questions, but she has had the answer that I am going to give her on this subject. The Government will abide by the law. Noble Lords have the text…06 Sept 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) BillI thought that would get a cheer. We have heard many concerns raised about the Bill. However, more fundamentally, the issues at play here are not just technical. This is about…06 Sept 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) BillMy Lords, I first add my thanks to those expressed by the noble Baroness, Lady Hayter, and others to the staff of the House, who have worked incredibly long hours—including quite…06 Sept 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) BillI think some noble Lords might want answers to some of the questions that have been asked, particularly about the Government’s intentions—06 Sept 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) BillI apologise—perhaps the legal officials did not explain it to me clearly enough. I thank the noble Baroness for her clarification. My noble friends Lady McIntosh of Pickering and…06 Sept 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) BillAs far as I know, the latest information is that that meeting is still going ahead. Even if an election is happening, the Government and the Prime Minister remain in office and…05 Sept 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) BillI do not have a copy of the Bill in front of me. Obviously we are not the sponsors of the legislation. My noble and learned friend is a distinguished lawyer, and I will decline…05 Sept 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) BillIt is difficult for me to comment on an interview that I have not heard. I am sure the noble Lord is quoting her words accurately but, if he will forgive me, I will not comment on…05 Sept 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) BillNo, that is not what I said at all. I am saying that it makes the Government’s position very difficult to persuade the EU to do any kind of alternative deal because all the other…05 Sept 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) BillI am always wary when the noble Lord wants to be helpful, particularly when he quotes things taken straight from “Yes Minister” about being brave. All I can say is that he has not…05 Sept 2019