Contributions
4,729 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) BillI am saying that it seems blindingly obvious to me that the EU has no possible incentive to negotiate anything because the two options that would then remain on the table would be…05 Sept 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) BillThe Government will abide by the law.05 Sept 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) BillMy noble friend is referring to the so-called Kinnock amendment. We have looked at it quite closely and, with apologies to the noble Lord, Lord Kinnock, believe that it is fatally…05 Sept 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) BillGiven the previous controversy about the sums of money involved in our exit, I am loath to get into this but I think that that is roughly the net figure. Our net figure is about…05 Sept 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) BillThe noble Lord is a distinguished businessman. I did not use the word “extra”; I said merely that remaining a member of the European Union will cost us roughly £1 billion net a…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 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) BillI thank everyone who has spoken in the debate. I follow the statements of the noble Baroness, Lady Smith, and others and place on record the Government’s appreciation and thanks…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) 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) 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 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 2019HANSARDNo-deal UpdateWe are aware of the challenges that exist for the agricultural sector. I confirmed in a response to the noble Baroness earlier that CAP payments will continue, but we are…03 Sept 2019HANSARDNo-deal UpdateThere are indeed a number of other pieces of legislation currently held at various stages in both Houses. However, as my noble friend said earlier today, we do not require any of…03 Sept 2019HANSARDNo-deal UpdateThere were a number of questions there; I think I wrote them all down but I am sure the noble Baroness will remind me if I forget any. On agriculture, I am happy to confirm that…03 Sept 2019HANSARDNo-deal UpdateYes, EU nationals’ rights are guaranteed. As I said, the rights that we have offered to guarantee to EU nationals are more extensive than those offered by other EU member states…03 Sept 2019HANSARDNo-deal UpdateI thought I would be able to agree with everything the noble Lord said, for a change. I completely agree with the first part of his question. That is why, under our arrangements,…03 Sept 2019HANSARDNo-deal UpdateI always like questions from the noble Lord; they offer a degree of simplicity which perhaps does not always exist in real life.03 Sept 2019HANSARDNo-deal UpdateI thank the noble Lord for his questions. On his first, about the common external tariff, I did not quite understand the point he was making. The reason the EU’s common external…03 Sept 2019HANSARDNo-deal UpdateMy noble friend will understand that I view it as a considerable failure that I have not managed to reassure him and contribute to his happiness. I will do my best in the days and…03 Sept 2019HANSARDNo-deal UpdateI thought I had answered the noble Baroness’s questions; if I have not, I will be happy to write to her.03 Sept 2019