Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Adrian Sanders and David Lidington(10 years, 4 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay) (LD)
22. What discussions he has had with the French Government on arms sales to Russia; and if he will make a statement.
The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington)
The United Kingdom has already suspended all such export licences to Russia where exports could be used against Ukraine. We have discussed the possibility of an EU-wide arms and defence exports embargo with the French Government, both bilaterally and at European Council and Council of Ministers meetings.
Mr Sanders
I urge the Minister to press the French and other EU countries more on that, because it really is time we all put principle ahead of short-term economic interest and stopped arming the Russian regime.
Mr Lidington
The Prime Minister made the British Government’s position clear yesterday during his response to questions on his statement. It is obviously for the French Government to take that decision, which at the moment they plan to take in October this year, and to defend whatever decision they take.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Adrian Sanders and David Lidington(14 years, 4 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Mr Lidington
The matter that the hon. Gentleman has raised relates very much to the work of our consular department rather than to the enlargement process, but I will take advice from consular officials and write to him about the detailed matter that he has raised.
Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay) (LD)
15. What recent representations he has made to the Government of Brazil in support of their efforts to end forced labour.