Alistair Carmichael
Main Page: Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat - Orkney and Shetland)Department Debates - View all Alistair Carmichael's debates with the Leader of the House
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Sir Alan Campbell
If my hon. Friend does not mind, I might duck that one. [Laughter.] We are laughing, but these are serious matters for businesses and firms, and I will therefore ensure that the issue is drawn to the attention of the relevant Minister, and that my hon. Friend gets a response.
Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD)
Reaching a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement with the European Union is one of the most significant developments that we are likely to see for farmers and other food producers. It could bring massive opportunities, but also significant risks, especially for arable farmers. Although any agreement will be implemented by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, it is being negotiated by the Paymaster General, so the EFRA Committee invited him to give evidence to the Committee on 9 December. We sent the invitation on 17 September; after four reminders, we eventually received an email on 13 November indicating that the Paymaster General was
“content to decline the kind invitation to give evidence on this occasion.”
The Select Committee is not quite so content with this situation. Will the Leader of the House have a word with the Paymaster General and his diary secretary to see whether he might be able to make himself available for 9 December? This is a basic discourtesy to Parliament.
Mr Speaker
Order. I did appeal for brevity, so that I can try to get other Members in. If you do not want your colleagues to get in, just tell me which ones you do not want to speak! You are not helping me at the moment.