Channel Tunnel

Debate between Lord Popat and Lord Tomlinson

Thursday 22nd January 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Popat]

I agree with the noble Lord. We should support a strong ferry service across the channel.

[Lord Tomlinson (Lab)]

On at least two occasions, the Minister has pointed in the direction of France. In the absence of the noble Lord, Lord Pearson of Rannoch, may I ask him to confirm that there was no culpability on behalf of the European Union?

[Lord Popat]

This is a matter for the French and the British.

Manufacturing

Debate between Lord Popat and Lord Tomlinson

Monday 21st July 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Popat]

Yes, my Lords, the Government are encouraging more exports through UKTI. The promotional material for the Queen’s award for exports is an issue that we will certainly look into.

[Lord Tomlinson (Lab)]

My Lords, will the Minister reflect that he gave a rather inadequate answer to the question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Pearson of Rannoch, who made a nonsensical suggestion about our relations with the European Union? Do not the Government, as the basis of their negotiation for improvement in our relationships, believe that we should not ignore nonsenses but stand up and attack them? Our future is quite irrevocably linked to developments in the European Union, and I do not think that we do ourselves any favours by ignoring the noble Lord, Lord Pearson, when he suggests otherwise.

EU: UK Trading Deficit

Debate between Lord Popat and Lord Tomlinson

Tuesday 21st May 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord Popat]

My Lords, for the long-term economic health of the UK we need to develop further our economic relations with fast-growing, emerging markets, including India, which the noble Lord mentioned. This is why the Prime Minister has been leading trade missions to these countries. We are doing everything possible to support our trade with emerging markets, including India, but we are also supporting a large number of UK companies, through UKTI, to help them to internationalise and to do more trade with those emerging markets.

[Lord Tomlinson]

My Lords, are we not missing the main point in this Question? Europe largely has the euro, which has devalued by 30% against the pound sterling since it was created. Why, with that level of devaluation, have we not had the competitive advantage in our trade relationships with Europe? Should not the answer to this Question really be a critique of British industry and British commerce for not taking advantage of the competitive devaluation?