Council of the European Union: United Kingdom Presidency
Debate between Lord Lawson of Blaby and Lord Bridges of Headley(8 years, 1 month ago)
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Lord Bridges of Headley
If the noble Lord is referring to who will replace us, that matter is being determined by the European Union as we speak.
Lord Lawson of Blaby (Con)
My Lords, may I commend the Government on the very sensible decision they have taken, for the reasons set out by my noble friend? I must say that I find this very curious. Normally in this House I hear noble Lords criticising the Government for not making up their mind. Now they are being criticised for having made up their mind.
Lord Bridges of Headley
I thank my noble friend for that point and can reassure the House that this decision was taken after due consideration.
Government Contracts: Steel Industry
Debate between Lord Lawson of Blaby and Lord Bridges of Headley(8 years, 6 months ago)
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Lord Bridges of Headley
Those are valid observations. The public policy procurement note, which I have in front of me, makes the point that private companies should advertise through the supply chain when those contracts are available and make sure that British SMEs are able to bid for them. The contribution that companies make to apprenticeships is also highlighted in that public policy procurement note.
Lord Lawson of Blaby (Con)
My Lords, is the noble Lord, Lord Razzall, not absolutely right: is it not the case that the masochistic energy policy pursued by the British Government at present leads to a carbon price floor five times the size of the carbon price in the rest of the European Union? Is that not crazy? What are the Government going to do about it?
Lord Bridges of Headley
That is slightly going beyond my ken, my Lords. As regards the energy costs that the steel industry is looking for, £100 million will be saved over the financial year and £400 million by the end of this Parliament, thanks to the action that the Government are taking to give the industry relief.