Oral Answers to Questions

Alistair Carmichael Excerpts
Thursday 25th January 2018

(6 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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The Secretary of State thinks that the young man is not doing too badly, and I am sure that the young man concerned will feel fortified by that.

Alistair Carmichael Portrait Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD)
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I commend the Secretary of State for the publication of the environmental strategy, which is an important and significant step, but there are still opportunities to do more. Will he tell the House why he allowed 25 years in the strategy for the elimination of non-essential plastics? If they are non-essential, surely we can do better than that.

Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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I have enormous respect for the right hon. Gentleman. The nature of the 25-year plan was a recommendation of the Natural Capital Committee and, as he knows, it covers a wide range of issues. The Government are bringing forward more demanding and more ambitious targets to reduce single-use plastics, but he is right to encourage the Government, and all of us, to do more.