Intellectual Property Rights: Affordable Drugs

Debate between Lord Grimstone of Boscobel and Lord Bishop of Carlisle

Monday 30th November 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord Grimstone of Boscobel (Con)]

My noble friend asks a good question. I do not have those detailed figures at my fingertips; I undertake to write to him.

[The Lord Bishop of Carlisle]

My Lords, for obvious reasons we have focused largely on equal access to vaccines but, given the broader significance and implications of this Oral Question on affordable drugs and the fact that Global Cancer Week took place earlier this month, are any negotiations currently taking place on access to affordable cancer treatments, especially in developing countries?

[Lord Grimstone of Boscobel (Con)]

The right reverend Prelate asks an excellent question. I am not aware of the details of any discussions of that sort; to ensure that I can give him a complete answer, I will write to him on that also.

Saudi Arabia: Arms Sales

Debate between Lord Grimstone of Boscobel and Lord Bishop of Carlisle

Friday 10th July 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord Grimstone of Boscobel]

The noble Lord raises a matter I am personally very familiar with, having myself experienced as a businessman the Saudis’ propensity not to pay on time. I fear that the only quick advice I can give him, slightly lightheartedly, is persistence with them. I normally find that persistence pays off. More seriously, our embassy in Riyadh is always willing to help British exporters in this situation and to make representations to the appropriate Saudi authorities.

[The Lord Bishop of Carlisle [V]]

My Lords, on the Bishops’ Benches we welcome the unanimous decision by United Nations Security Council to endorse a global ceasefire in the context of the Covid pandemic. Does the Minister accept that, in light of the horrific situation in Yemen, already mentioned several times, the Government’s decision to resume selling arms to Saudi Arabia risks fatally undermining the implementation —[Inaudible.]

[Lord Grimstone of Boscobel]

Both personally and as a Minister I remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Yemen. I think it is important that we continue to work with all parties to find a political solution to the conflict. This will help create the conditions for the legitimate Government to improve their capacity to protect human rights. Yemen is a human rights priority country for the UK.