Contributions
485 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCivil Society Forum: UK DelegationMy Lords, we will certainly reflect on the issues that the noble Viscount raised. There is, of course, a provision in the agreement for a partnership forum between Parliaments,…24 Jun 2021HANSARDCivil Society Forum: UK DelegationMy Lords, obviously I do not accept the conclusion. The noble Lord is oversimplifying what I said at the Foreign Affairs Committee. It is precisely because we knew we had agreed…24 Jun 2021HANSARDCivil Society Forum: UK DelegationMy Lords, I certainly agree that the civil society forum, when it is up and running, should seek to draw in as wide a range of expertise and ideas as it possibly can. I certainly…24 Jun 2021HANSARDCivil Society Forum: UK DelegationMy Lords, obviously, a prerequisite for moving this forward has been the first meeting of the Partnership Council to kick it off, which happened only two and half weeks ago, so we…24 Jun 2021HANSARDCivil Society Forum: UK DelegationMy Lords, my noble friend makes a very good point about the possible gap between the views of trade union members and the views of those who speak in their name. This has been a…24 Jun 2021HANSARDUK and EU RelationsMy Lords, we are very pleased that the trade and co-operation agreement has entered into force and that its governance mechanisms are operational. This includes the partnership…24 Jun 2021HANSARDCivil Society Forum: UK DelegationMy Lords, we are absolutely committed to working with a broad range of business and civil society groups on the implementation of the trade and co-operation agreement. At the 9…24 Jun 2021HANSARDUK and EU RelationsMy Lords, I am very familiar with that particular issue. In fact, my last private trip aboard before the pandemic was to see “Das Rheingold” in Berlin. I look forward to such…24 Jun 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandMy Lords, the Government are working hard and in good faith to resolve outstanding issues with the Northern Ireland protocol, including by providing the EU with more than a dozen…24 Jun 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandMy Lords, we continue to discuss the grace period for chilled meats with the European Commission. It is not yet resolved and there are still a number of issues to sort out. We…24 Jun 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandThe question of trust is important in these negotiations. Trust is required on all sides. The protocol is, in our view, not being operated in the pragmatic and proportionate way…24 Jun 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandMy Lords, the question asked by the noble Baroness is obviously a very political one. It is important to bring political judgment to these questions, rather than mechanical…24 Jun 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandMy Lords, I very much agree with the sentiments expressed by my noble friend. We welcome the intervention and statement referred to by the Irish Government; we should all go the…24 Jun 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandMy Lords, I have the highest respect for the expertise of my noble friend Lord Patten on Northern Ireland. I read his speech in full this morning; it is extremely interesting. I…24 Jun 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandI give both sides the courtesy of believing that they are negotiating in good faith. I am sure they are but, as I said frequently in the negotiations last year, the European Union…24 Jun 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandAt the time, we faced the need to find pragmatic and proportionate ways to implement the protocol in a balanced way, respecting all the dimensions of the Belfast/Good Friday…24 Jun 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandMy Lords, I have indeed looked at that evidence. It is extremely interesting in all kinds of ways. Obviously, we talk directly to many of the groups which have submitted evidence.…24 Jun 2021HANSARDUK and EU RelationsMy Lords, we are aware of that issue and in discussion with the European Union about it. It is of course consistent with taking back control ourselves that the other party to the…24 Jun 2021HANSARDUK and EU RelationsMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for our sadly brief but enjoyable co-operation. I look forward to standing here at the Dispatch Box and dealing with her successor. On her…24 Jun 2021HANSARDUK and EU RelationsMy Lords, I am afraid I do not see the same inconsistency with the two hats to which the noble Lord refers. My approach has been to tell it like it is and to make sure that what…24 Jun 2021