Contributions
485 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDImports from EU to UK: Grace PeriodMy Lords, obviously there is a distinction in how we manage goods imported from the rest of the world compared to those from the European Union. That is consistent with WTO law…16 Sept 2021HANSARDImports from EU to UK: Grace PeriodOf course, I agree very much with the thrust of my noble friend’s question. We believe that in the decisions we have taken, both in the context of the protocol and on trade more…16 Sept 2021HANSARDImports from EU to UK: Grace PeriodMy Lords, we have great food and drink industries in this country; some of them have imports in their supply chains as well as exports and the free flow of trade in both…16 Sept 2021HANSARDImports from EU to UK: Grace PeriodMy Lords, we are obviously in constant touch with the European Union through the institutions created in the trade and co-operation agreement and many others. We sought last year…16 Sept 2021HANSARDImports from EU to UK: Grace PeriodMy Lords, I do not agree that relations with either Government or entity are poor, though relations can always be better, of course, and there are some significant differences…16 Sept 2021HANSARDImports from EU to UK: Grace PeriodMy Lords, we obviously keep the flow of HGVs, lorries and trade at all our ports under very close scrutiny. I do not have figures to hand on that subject, but I know that trade is…16 Sept 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland: Power-sharingMy Lords, the Government’s position on this matter is set out in the Command Paper we published on 21 July. In brief, the Government are indeed concerned that the operation of the…16 Sept 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland (EUC Report)I thank the noble Lord for his intervention. The issue of what the European Union did or did not do at the end of January deserves a bit of comment. There are two aspects to this.…13 Sept 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland (EUC Report)I thank the noble Lord for his intervention. The point that he mentions in paragraph 71, the issue of engagement of the Northern Ireland institutions in this process, is one of…13 Sept 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland (EUC Report)My Lords, I begin by thanking all noble Lords who have contributed to today’s debate, and everyone on the two committees, the European Union Committee and the Sub-Committee on the…13 Sept 2021HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolMy Lords, there are plenty of deadlines in this process already; I do not want to add to them by generating others. We have proposed a standstill—and I will write shortly to the…21 Jul 2021HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolI very much agree with the thrust of my noble friend’s comments. The impact of the protocol on everyday lives in Northern Ireland is a significant part of the difficulty. Again,…21 Jul 2021HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolMy Lords, it is clear that the balance we have in the protocol is not working at the moment, and I have explained why on many occasions. The issue raised by the noble Lord is one…21 Jul 2021HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolMy Lords, where there are trust problems between us and the European Union, they stem ultimately from the issues that we have on the protocol. I agree 100% with the noble Lord…21 Jul 2021HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolNo doubt, that is the source of some of what is read in the press this morning, but I would not like anyone to think that we were not showing appropriate respect to this House in…21 Jul 2021HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolMy Lords, I thank the noble Baronesses, Lady Chapman and Lady Ludford, for their comments. There is a lot there, and I will try to deal with them. I will begin by picking up the…21 Jul 2021HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolMy Lords, with the leave of the House, I will now make a Statement, which is being simultaneously made in the other place, on the Government’s approach to the Northern Ireland…21 Jul 2021HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolMy Lords, I very much agree with those comments. I could spend time, but will not, looking at the origins of this situation of mistrust and why it has been established. I do not…21 Jul 2021HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolI thank my noble friend for his comments. He is obviously correct in saying the place of Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom, in the single market, in the customs territory, is…21 Jul 2021HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolMy Lords, obviously we will have to see how the EU reacts to these proposals. I hope it will consider them seriously as a significant proposal to find a durable settlement. It is…21 Jul 2021