Brexit: Financial Settlement

Baroness Smith of Newnham Excerpts
Monday 13th November 2017

(6 years, 6 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Bates Portrait Lord Bates
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My noble friend has great experience in this area. He draws my attention to a significant part of the setting out of the principles which the Prime Minister’s speech of 22 September chimed with exactly. Some of the comments coming from the other side do not necessarily recognise that, so it is good to be reminded of it.

Baroness Smith of Newnham Portrait Baroness Smith of Newnham (LD)
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My Lords, in light of the fact that sterling has fallen yet again, does the Minister agree that EU denominated liabilities will increase the greater government uncertainty and instabilities? Is anyone in control? Is it not time for the Prime Minister to get a grip?

Lord Bates Portrait Lord Bates
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She has a grip. That grip was demonstrated in her Florence speech, where she set out our negotiating position, which is very strong and fair. Any settlement would of course be denominated in euros as the currency—we recognise that—but that, too, needs to be taken into account as we agree what the final settlement should be as part of the wider negotiations.