Contributions
464 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActOne thing I can say with great confidence is that, above all, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, according to all my observation of her approach to these negotiations and…25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI am going to make some progress. During its meeting last week, the European Council approved the legally binding assurances in relation to the Northern Ireland backstop that my…25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActThe European Council conclusions specify that it is approval of the withdrawal agreement that counts in respect of whether there is an extension to 22 May. Of course, the…25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActAs I said a moment ago, the discussions with other parties and Members on both sides of the House will continue, but I can confirm that the Government would seek to provide…25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI think it would be premature to say anything about whipping at this stage, because we do not currently know exactly what the content of any options might be, what amendments to…25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI am afraid that one thing about which I am very clear indeed is that I am very willing to—and do—offer advice to my right hon. Friend, but I talk about that advice to her in…25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActAs I said a moment ago, if amendment (a) is not passed, we will make available a first day this week for the process to which we have committed ourselves to proceed. It may be…25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI will give way first to the hon. Member for Leicester West and then to the right hon. Member for Broxtowe, but after that—I hope that the House will forgive me—I will try to move…25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActThe hon. Lady has pre-empted my next paragraph. I was about to say that we do not think it is for the Government to tell the House what options it should and should not…25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActIf the right hon. Lady will bear with me, I want to come on to that shortly.25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActUntil we have had the Division this evening, assuming there is one, on the amendment tabled by my right hon. Friend the Member for West Dorset (Sir Oliver Letwin), we will not…25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActThere is a matter of constitutional principle here. We are saying that it is for the Government to control the Order Paper, as is normal, but in this case we would devote our time…25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActThe difference between me and my hon. Friend on this occasion is that I take the view, and the Government take the view, that amendment (a) would upset the balance between…25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI give way to my right hon. Friend the Member for West Dorset.25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI cannot give a commitment immediately for that or of that level of detail, but I will have further discussions, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Exiting the…25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActDid I misspeak? I meant 12 April. This will be subject to the draft affirmative procedure so that it will be debated in each House, and it must come into force by 11 pm on 29…25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI will try to give my hon. Friend a brief answer now, but the best thing would be for me or my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to write swiftly and formally to him in his…25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI am going to make some progress—25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActWithout the statutory instrument, there would be a clash in domestic law because contradictory provisions would apply both EU rules and new domestic rules simultaneously. It is…25 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI am always over-tempted to give way to interventions, and I am deeply conscious that on the last two occasions that I came to this Dispatch Box I spoke for over an hour in total…25 Mar 2019