EU: Hungarian Presidency Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Lord Willoughby de Broke
Main Page: Lord Willoughby de Broke (Non-affiliated - Excepted Hereditary)Department Debates - View all Lord Willoughby de Broke's debates with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
(13 years, 10 months ago)
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Lord Howell of Guildford
Yes, it is certainly one of our priorities and one of the priorities of the European Union. We all share a concern about the illegal settlements and the blockage that they are placing on the prospective progress between Israel and the Palestinians. I totally agree with the sentiments behind the noble Lord’s questions. These are matters that will have a high priority with us.
Lord Willoughby de Broke
My Lords, will the Minister, on behalf of the Government, inform the Hungarian presidency that they will now stop trying to push water uphill and will no longer bail out failing European economies with British taxpayers’ money?
Lord Howell of Guildford
As for bailout provisions, after 2013 we will be under no obligation to do that sort of thing unless we voluntarily wish to do so or it makes sense from our national interest to do so. Before 2013, it is, of course, a fact that we are bound by decisions of the previous Government and are bound to be involved to some extent.