Hong Kong: Political Prisoners
Debate between Earl of Courtown and Lord Flight
The Earl of Courtown (Con)
My Lords, in relation to judges in Hong Kong, I answered the question on the first supplementary, but we are aware that a number of UK nationals are members of the Hong Kong police, having joined prior to the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. The Government have no jurisdiction over this matter; the national security law poses real questions for the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms promised by China in the joint declaration.
Lord Flight (Con)
My Lords, while Hong Kong has been an open and free economy, it has brought great help to China. Are we making sure to point out to the Chinese Government that, if they turn it into a quasi-police state, they will lose the huge economic advantages of its success?
The Earl of Courtown (Con)
My Lords, the consequences of Beijing’s actions in relation to Hong Kong have been made very clear on many occasions. As the noble Lord will be aware, since 2021 we have launched a bespoke immigration route for BNOs, suspended the Hong Kong-UK extradition agreement and extended the arms embargo to cover Hong Kong.
Sterling
Debate between Earl of Courtown and Lord Flight
The Earl of Courtown
My Lords, I do not believe in uttering fiction from the Dispatch Box. I do not accept the noble Lord’s comment, but I will take it back to the department and ask for clarification on that figure.
Lord Flight (Con)
My Lords, are the Government aware of the extent to which increased regulation is causing a fall in productivity, particularly in the financial services sector? The numbers of people working in regulation are not producing anything positive and the effect is estimated to be as much as 10% over the last decade.
European Union Referendum Bill
Debate between Earl of Courtown and Lord Flight(9 years ago)
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The Earl of Courtown (Con)
Could we hear from the noble Lord, Lord Davies of Stamford? I know that he has been trying to get up for some time.
Armenia: 1915 Atrocities
Debate between Earl of Courtown and Lord Flight
The Earl of Courtown
No, I cannot agree with the noble Lord. I am not aware of the response that was given concerning the Sikhs in India, and there is nothing more I can add.
Lord Flight (Con)
My Lords, while the treatment of the Armenians in 1915 is to be condemned absolutely as genocide, might we be able to persuade Armenia to withdraw from those parts of Azerbaijan which it has been illegally occupying for some 20 years?