Contributions
349 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fourth sitting)Thank you, Sir George; it is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship. I would like to speak to amendment 1 and make it clear that it is to clause 17 but there is an…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fourth sitting)May I also ask the Committee to divide on amendment 1?12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fourth sitting)Many aspects of procurement and other aspects touched on in this Bill are in part devolved to the various institutions. We have a complex mosaic in the UK: the devolution…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fifth sitting)Yes, we will be pushing amendment 14 to a vote. On the legal basis, we have expressed an opinion here, but of course the Government have constant legal advice during the passage…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Fourth sitting)In its present form, the Bill will introduce a blanket prevention of public authorities’ ability to take into account human rights—the Government would say foreign policy—when…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Third sitting)On a point of order, Sir George.07 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Third sitting)No, and I don’t think many people will.07 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Third sitting)I hope so, too. I just want to ask your advice. Is it appropriate for a witness to this Committee to give evidence in the form of attacking another witness who does not have the…07 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Third sitting)Q Could I say that I have regularly, over many, many years, read your excellent articles in The Times and indeed elsewhere. I understand that you feel very strongly about this…07 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Third sitting)Q Apart from the objections you have clearly set out in writing and orally, you make a number of comments about the poor drafting of the Bill. Could you give us a few examples of…07 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Third sitting)Q Following on from that very point, your two papers make the point very strongly that the Bill contradicts, or at least strongly questions, the British commitment to…07 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (First sitting)Q I am someone who has been on record many, many times as being totally opposed to BDS, but I also respect the devolution settlements. Irrespective of the issue, is it not right…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)I apologise if the speakers have already touched on this; I did not pick up everything that was said from Scotland. Mark, you have written a very detailed paper, and I thank you…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)Q We have a great deal of sympathy with what you have expressed to us this afternoon. One problem that many people have with the Bill is that although it was billed as a Bill to…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)That was very clear, thank you.05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)I just read it out. Professor Tomkins: No, what you said is that this legislation trespasses on executive competence of Ministers, not on legislative competence of the Scottish…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)Q Partly because our two professors are from Wales and Scotland, I want to ask about devolution. Most of would agree, I think, that foreign policy is exclusively a reserved…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (First sitting)I have been to Israel on a visit funded by Labour Friends of Israel, but that was many years ago.05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (First sitting)Q Thank you, Chair, and good morning to you both. Your organisations support the legislation. I have read your submissions, and it is quite clear that you are supportive of the…05 Sept 2023HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Second sitting)Q The House of Commons Library disagrees with you. Professor Tomkins: No it doesn’t.05 Sept 2023