Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alistair Carmichael and David Lidington

Tuesday 3rd December 2013 Commons Chamber

[The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington)]

Negotiations are progressing well and are on track to meet our shared ambition of concluding them in 2015. There will be a third round of talks next month, followed by an EU-US ministerial stock-take of progress to be held in early 2014 to set the direction of talks for next year.

[Mr Carmichael]

I thank the Minister for that answer. Does he agree that these talks will, because of the enormity of both the European and the US economies coming together, lead to a substantial growth in the global economy? Does he also think that this will be a catalyst to a further improvement and enhancement of the single market, justifying Britain’s membership of the European Union?