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2,684 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActI have read that letter. It has been sent to every Member, and I would ask every Member to give it close attention. Our farming communities, like our country, were split over…10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActMy hon. Friend makes a very good point. Again, across business there was a range of voices —for remain and leave—during the Brexit referendum, but what is striking is that many…10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActMy hon. Friend makes an important point. It is always important to get things in proportion, but across the business spectrum—from those who argued for remain and for leave—there…10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActThat is a very fair point. One thing that occupies most of my time as Secretary of State for DEFRA is planning for various contingencies. In exceptional circumstances, there are…10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActI have great respect for the hon. Gentleman, but that is a misunderstanding of the agreement. The entire United Kingdom could diverge from the common agricultural policy and…10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActThank you, Mr Speaker. I was happy to embrace my inner vegan with the hon. Lady earlier this month. We had some delicious vegan parsnip soup, and also some cheese that was…10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActThe hon. Gentleman makes an important point. In the event of no deal, the tripartite agreement, which is part of EU law, falls. Of course, the bloodstock industry, the horse…10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActI have in response to questions from a number of colleagues pointed out the many advantages that the withdrawal agreement secures.10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActMay I begin on a personal note, Mr Speaker? I am very, very grateful to Members on both sides of the House, from all parties, who very kindly contacted me or sent messages over…10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActIt is interesting that the hon. Gentleman talks about A-levels, because if the hon. Member for Brent North is my favourite Labour Member, he must be my second favourite as he has…10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActThe report emphatically does not say that people will be poorer. It is important to pay proper respect to projections while also applying the appropriate analytical tools. Some of…10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActMy hon. Friend makes a good point. There have been some exaggerated claims about the impact of a no-deal Brexit, and the British economy is resilient. He is absolutely right,…10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActMy right hon. Friend makes two very important points. It is absolutely right that there have been some lurid and exaggerated stories, both during the referendum and subsequently,…10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActYes, I am afraid that it absolutely would, and a tariff of 40%—it is just above 40%—is one of the lower ones. For example, there are tariffs on some meat exports of more than…10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActWe absolutely could, including in Northern Ireland. Of course, there are restrictions on the amount of state aid that we can give, but those restrictions operate as a result of…10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActI have given way to the right hon. Gentleman twice; I may do so again, but the hon. Member for Wolverhampton North East (Emma Reynolds) has made an important point. We are out of…10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActThe hon. Gentleman is one of those people who is a supporter of a people’s vote and for whom I have enormous respect, and he is a keen student of this House and its procedures. We…10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActThat is a great question from the hon. Gentleman, for whom I have an enormous amount of respect, and who has taken a brave and principled position on Brexit as on every issue he…10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActThank you very much, Mr Speaker.10 Jan 2019HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal) ActI quite understand, and I have enormous respect not only for the hon. Gentleman, but for the sincerity and clarity with which he and his parliamentary colleagues have put their…10 Jan 2019