Contributions
2,684 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Brexit Readiness: Operation YellowhammerI am tempted to say don’t tempt me, but actually I have no plans to use those powers.25 Sept 2019HANSARD Brexit Readiness: Operation YellowhammerI certainly recall many of them featuring in the speeches of those who were campaigning for remain.25 Sept 2019HANSARD Brexit Readiness: Operation YellowhammerThank you very much, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity once again to underline the division of responsibilities in the Cabinet Office. It is my responsibility to prepare…25 Sept 2019HANSARDProrogation (Disclosure of Communications)Not at this point. Indeed, that is not the only thing that is in the public domain. As a result of a court case that has been brought by the hon. and learned Member for Edinburgh…09 Sept 2019HANSARDProrogation (Disclosure of Communications)It is a pleasure to speak in this debate after a number of important, serious and passionate speeches. It is important that we pay appropriate regard to this Humble Address,…09 Sept 2019HANSARDProrogation (Disclosure of Communications)I hope that before this debate concludes my right hon. and learned Friend will have an opportunity to look at the evidence submitted to the Select Committee, and I hope that, on…09 Sept 2019HANSARDProrogation (Disclosure of Communications)I do not know whether my right hon. and learned Friend has had a chance to look at the transcript of the evidence that I supplied to the Exiting the European Union Committee last…09 Sept 2019HANSARDProrogation (Disclosure of Communications)I know what the right hon. and learned Gentleman suspects, and he has been fair in laying it out clearly, but the question that this House has to ask is, are we prepared— […09 Sept 2019HANSARDPoints of OrderFurther to that a point of order, Mr Speaker. I would like, perhaps for the first time, to associate myself wholeheartedly with the comments of the Leader of the Opposition. Since…09 Sept 2019HANSARDProrogation (Disclosure of Communications)No. In the evidence that I gave, I made it clear—I am grateful to the Chairman of that Committee for allowing me to do so—that we wanted to publish and would publish a revised…09 Sept 2019HANSARDProrogation (Disclosure of Communications)In his speech, the hon. Member for Wrexham (Ian C. Lucas) answered his own question. He explained that I had said to Dermot Murnaghan on Sky News exactly when I knew about these…09 Sept 2019HANSARDProrogation (Disclosure of Communications)Thank you, Mr Speaker. I shall not take any interventions because it is important that I make progress. I want to underline that these propositions are being put forward by people…09 Sept 2019HANSARDProrogation (Disclosure of Communications)No, no, no. [Hon. Members: “Give way.”] Mr Speaker, I reserve the right to take any intervention I wish, and I will in a second. [ Interruption. ]09 Sept 2019HANSARDProrogation (Disclosure of Communications)No, no. It would, for the first time, say that the House of Commons, by a simple majority vote, can say that any individual’s communications should be rendered transparent. Do…09 Sept 2019HANSARDProrogation (Disclosure of Communications)No, I will not give way. If the Humble Address had been shaped in such a way as to say that official advice was requested, the Government would have sought to collaborate…09 Sept 2019HANSARDProrogation (Disclosure of Communications)No. [ Interruption. ] No, thank you. He did not— [ Interruption. ] I am not scared of the truth—Alex Salmond was scared of the truth, which is why he spent my mum and dad’s money…09 Sept 2019HANSARDProrogation (Disclosure of Communications)No, no—absolutely not. [ Interruption. ] No—no, thank you. What is being asked of this House is more than just the publication of advice: private communications of a variety of…09 Sept 2019HANSARDProrogation (Disclosure of Communications)No. The Cabinet Secretary, when he appeared before the Procedure Committee, made it clear that this convention that advice should be private has applied to Governments of all…09 Sept 2019HANSARDProrogation (Disclosure of Communications)The hon. Lady raises at least two important points. First, we are of course absolutely aware that whatever the impacts of a no-deal Brexit, they are likely to be more acute, in a…09 Sept 2019HANSARDProrogation (Disclosure of Communications)I am always happy to give way to the hon. Lady.09 Sept 2019