Contributions
785 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDThe Growth PlanI welcome much of the announcement, particularly the change to IR35. As the Chancellor will know, that has caused real distress and injustice to many honest, hard-working…23 Sept 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol BillIt is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Dame Rosie. I am grateful to the Minister for the constructive approach he has taken, as always, and I am grateful, too, to the Ministers…20 Jul 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol BillI understand what my right hon. and learned Friend is saying, and I am grateful to him. However, if there is a need to act urgently, it is likely to be many months before the Bill…13 Jul 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol BillThis has been a most useful debate. I will not press my amendment 1 to a vote tonight, because amendment 2, which is scheduled for debate on the third day of Committee…13 Jul 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol BillMay I set out the tests, as I was asked to? The Government need to show that this is also the only means whereby they can safeguard the interest in question. The difficulty they…13 Jul 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol BillIt does not avail us in relation to the international law test, and the difficulty with this Bill is that it is seeking to disapply parts of the protocol in domestic law, but in a…13 Jul 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol BillThe hon. Lady makes a fair point. Those of us who have served as Ministers know that, frankly, all Governments use Henry VIII powers. We all tend to criticise them when we are in…13 Jul 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol BillThe difficulty that my hon. Friend has is that that is an assertion. I am not sure that, as yet, we have had set out to the House the evidence base that the Government say they…13 Jul 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol BillThat is, of course, the fourth limb of the five-limb tests—that an essential interest of the EU member states should not be imperilled. I have to say that I do not think an…13 Jul 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol BillI do understand that, which is why I have made it clear from the beginning that I am as much in favour of changes to the protocol as anyone else. Of course, the protocol had…13 Jul 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol BillAmendments 1 and 2, the latter of which amends clause 26, relate to the commencement and operationalisation of the provisions in the Bill. I have drafted them in this way because…13 Jul 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol BillI beg to move amendment 1, page 1, line 3, at end insert— “(za) comes into effect only in accordance with section 26(2A) to (2D);”. This amendment is linked to Amendment 2 to…13 Jul 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol BillWith respect, I do not think the amendment would put another hurdle in the way, because it would not prevent the Bill from proceeding and it would not prevent what I know my right…13 Jul 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol BillI will be happy to talk about the essential tests of necessity, which are well recognised and well set out, as my hon. Friend knows. But the principle behind the amendment, which…13 Jul 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol BillI will give way to the right hon. Gentleman first.13 Jul 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol BillLet me return to that once I have set out the tests, because that is one issue that, with respect to the right hon. Gentleman—I do have much respect for him—the House ought to…13 Jul 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol BillI will give way to my hon. Friend, probably for the last time.13 Jul 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol BillForgive me, but my hon. Friend asked me to set out the tests and I am doing so. The second test is the necessity to safeguard an essential interest against a “grave and imminent…13 Jul 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol BillI respect what the right hon. Gentleman is saying. He referred to the importance of an objective test. Does he agree that that may not be enough for proper parliamentary scrutiny,…13 Jul 2022HANSARDUniversal Credit: Performers and Creative WorkersI understand the objective of the minimum income floor, to get into sustainable employment, but perhaps the Minister does not appreciate that for people in the performing arts and…11 Jul 2022