Contributions
485 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTrade AgreementsMy Lords, we are obviously very pleased that the EU granted us data adequacy last month. We think that that was the right thing to do and a correct reflection of the situation.…15 Jul 2021HANSARDTrade AgreementsMy Lords, this is clearly an extremely complicated issue and a lot can be said on the subject. I am not sure that I entirely agree with the noble Lord’s underlying judgment. Our…15 Jul 2021HANSARDTrade AgreementsMy Lords, the trade and co-operation agreement that we have agreed with the European Union does not require us or the EU to align rules with the other party. This ensures that the…15 Jul 2021HANSARDIreland/Northern Ireland ProtocolMy Lords, I obviously have the highest respect for my right honourable friend Mr Smith but the problem with that analysis comes back to the point made earlier that Northern…15 Jul 2021HANSARDIreland/Northern Ireland ProtocolMy Lords, I learned a good deal of what I know of negotiation at the feet of the noble Lord, Lord Kerr, so wherever we have got to is at least in part thanks to his tutelage over…15 Jul 2021HANSARDIreland/Northern Ireland ProtocolWe agree, of course, that it is very important that the situation in Northern Ireland remains calm, and we are very glad that it has. Nevertheless, it is clear that there is a…15 Jul 2021HANSARDIreland/Northern Ireland ProtocolMy Lords, I do not think that was highly charged language; I think it was an accurate description of the situation when we received a communication containing 600 to 800 pieces of…15 Jul 2021HANSARDIreland/Northern Ireland ProtocolMy Lords, I very much agree with my noble friend’s comments. It is very clear that the obligations set out in the protocol to which he refers are not being fully met at the…15 Jul 2021HANSARDIreland/Northern Ireland ProtocolMy Lords, I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting the new Economy Minister in Northern Ireland, although I expect to do so soon. To be fair, there is a range of opinion on the…15 Jul 2021HANSARDIreland/Northern Ireland ProtocolMy Lords, I have spoken to many businesses and business organisations in Northern Ireland about this issue. The reality is that Northern Ireland’s economic links are…15 Jul 2021HANSARDPost-Brexit Financial SettlementMy Lords, where threats have been made in this process, they have overwhelmingly come from the European Union side, and we regret that. I do not think it would be right for us to…15 Jul 2021HANSARDPost-Brexit Financial SettlementMy Lords, yes, these are significant sums, and the sums involved in the Horizon project and programme are also significant. We have a difficulty with the Horizon programme, in…15 Jul 2021HANSARDPost-Brexit Financial SettlementWe certainly stand by the financial agreement that we negotiated in the withdrawal agreement. As I said, it was very carefully negotiated at some length, and of course we stand by…15 Jul 2021HANSARDPost-Brexit Financial SettlementMy Lords, I welcome the noble Baroness to the Front Bench. I look forward to debating such issues with her on what I hope are many occasions in the future. The link between the EU…15 Jul 2021HANSARDPost-Brexit Financial SettlementThis is one of the occasions when I can disclaim direct responsibility for that particular part of the negotiation in the previous withdrawal agreement. I have been known to be a…15 Jul 2021HANSARDPost-Brexit Financial SettlementMy Lords, I do not think that any of us on this side of the House feels particularly comfortable paying large sums to the European Union, but it is an agreed outcome in the…15 Jul 2021HANSARDPost-Brexit Financial SettlementMy Lords, we are not surprised by these figures. As I said, the details of how they are calculated are set out in the withdrawal agreement in exhaustive detail, through several…15 Jul 2021HANSARDPost-Brexit Financial SettlementMy Lords, it is of course a legal obligation to make the payments to the EU that were agreed in the withdrawal agreement. They were heavily negotiated in some detail at the time,…15 Jul 2021HANSARDPost-Brexit Financial SettlementMy Lords, the Government’s regular update to Parliament on EU finances has been published today by my right honourable friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. The Treasury…15 Jul 2021HANSARDCivil Society Forum: UK DelegationMy Lords, we will obviously seek to have a balanced representation on the forum. I would personally be very surprised if that did not include at least some representation for…24 Jun 2021