Brexit: Article 50

Debate between Lord Watts and Lord Bridges of Headley

Thursday 2nd February 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

I happen to entirely agree with my noble friend on this point. As I have said before, the people have spoken and it is now for us to deliver on the instruction they have given us.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

My Lords, the Commission has said that it will consult the European Parliament on an ongoing basis when the Government finally start to negotiate with Europe over this matter. Will the British Government do the same with our Parliament?

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

As my right honourable friend the Secretary of State has made clear, and I have repeated many times, it would be completely unacceptable for the European Parliament to get more information than this House and the other place. That is an intention and a commitment that we absolutely intend to hold to.

A New Partnership with the EU

Debate between Lord Watts and Lord Bridges of Headley

Tuesday 17th January 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

No.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

My Lords, during the referendum campaign the Prime Minister said that it would be a disaster if we left the single market, because the British people would be poorer as a result. Can the Minister explain why she has changed her mind?

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

My Lords, it is since people voted to leave the European Union in the referendum on 23 June. The consequences of that vote and the options open have therefore been analysed and assessed, and the Prime Minister has set out the plan that we have heard today.

Brexit: European Union Citizenship

Debate between Lord Watts and Lord Bridges of Headley

Tuesday 13th December 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

The noble Viscount puts his finger on another of the myriad issues that my department and others are thinking about.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

Will the Minister explain why the Government were happy to give a referendum to the British people when they did not know what the outcome of the negotiations would be, yet the Minister feels it would be inappropriate for them to have a vote when they do know the implications?

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

My Lords, we believe that we should honour the result of the referendum. Full stop. Period.

Civil Service Fast Stream

Debate between Lord Watts and Lord Bridges of Headley

Monday 11th July 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

I entirely agree with the noble Lord. He obviously speaks with a great deal of experience. As the nephew of a diplomat, I am somewhat biased but I completely agree. On his final point about language skills, more needs to be done, as always. We need to make sure that we are getting the best diplomats who are not just aware of the culture of the countries to which they are posted, but are also able to speak the language. I am delighted that the Foreign Office language centre reopened in 2013 and is doing much to address this.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

My Lords, will the Minister explain the purpose of collecting these data if we do not do anything with them?

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

First, let us see what the data say; then, if they say that there are talents in pockets of society who are not applying and we think should be applying, we will redouble our efforts to ensure we get more applications from those groups.

Government Contracts: Steel Industry

Debate between Lord Watts and Lord Bridges of Headley

Thursday 25th February 2016 Lords Chamber

[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.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

If the Chinese are found to have been dumping steel in the UK, what action will the Government take to penalise them for doing so?

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

Let us wait and see. These investigations are obviously under way as we speak.