Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Bill Esterson and Shailesh Vara

Tuesday 8th March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab)]

3. What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on legal services.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mr Shailesh Vara)]

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that on 19 February, the Prime Minister set out the Government position on remaining in the European Union.

[Bill Esterson]

The former head of the Association of Chief Police Officers, Sir Hugh Orde, says that leaving the European Union would increase the risk of terrorism and would mean that Britain would become a safe haven for criminals. I am sure that the Minister agrees with Sir Hugh, but will he explain why the Justice Secretary is so keen to ignore this advice from such a well-respected authority and to take such a risk with public safety?

[Mr Vara]

May I make it absolutely clear to the hon. Gentleman that the Government’s position is that we would be better off in the European Union and that we would be safer and more secure in it? It is also the case that the deal struck by the Prime Minister in Brussels very much achieves those objectives.