Debates between Lord Swire and Andrew Turner during the 2010-2015 Parliament

Tue 19th Mar 2013

European Council

Debate between Lord Swire and Andrew Turner
Tuesday 19th March 2013

(11 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Swire Portrait Mr Swire
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I am sure that people are hearing this loud and clear, but I would say to my right hon. Friend that there is a precedent for a post-Council written ministerial statement if it is not possible for an oral statement to be made on the next sitting day. The Prime Minister gave a written ministerial statement on 11 October 2010, following the European Council on 16 September 2010.

Andrew Turner Portrait Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con)
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It is becoming more and more likely that we, and especially the military, will be dragged into a war in Syria. My constituents do not want the former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, advising us or the Government on what to do following Mr Hollande’s views. Does the Minister agree that some silence from the former Prime Minister would be appropriate?

Lord Swire Portrait Mr Swire
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Of course, the former Prime Minister has tremendous expertise but I am not aware that we are consulting him on what we should be doing as a coalition Government with regard to the situation in Syria.