Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Davis and Michael Tomlinson

Thursday 27th April 2017 Commons Chamber

[Michael Tomlinson (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (Con)]

6. What steps the Government are taking in preparing the great repeal Bill to protect (a) employment and (b) workers’ rights.

[The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (Mr David Davis)]

I shall start by saying that I am going to disappoint the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman) as I will stick to my brief.

The White Paper published on 30 March sets out that the employment and workers’ rights that are enjoyed under EU law will continue to be available in UK law after we have left the European Union as the great repeal Bill will convert EU law into domestic law. This will give certainty and continuity to employees and employers alike, creating stability in which the United Kingdom can grow and thrive.

[Michael Tomlinson]

I am grateful to the Secretary of State for that answer. Since the Health and Morals of Apprentices Act, it is the Conservatives who first protected workers’ rights and put those protections on to the statute book. Will he confirm that, post-Brexit, we will continue to do so not only to protect them, but to enhance them, thereby proving that we are the real workers’ party?

[Mr Davis]

I had not expected references to 1802—it was 1802, was it not?

[Michael Tomlinson]

indicated assent.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Davis and Michael Tomlinson

Thursday 1st December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Michael Tomlinson (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (Con)]

On article 50, does the Secretary of State agree that it is right to appeal from the High Court, that it is inevitable that this would end up in the Supreme Court and that this constitutional point needs to be resolved?

[Mr Davis]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right: this point is wider than just the issue of article 50; it goes right to the heart of the operation of the Crown prerogative.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr David Davis]

The function of my Department and this strategy is to bring back the control of migration to the British Government and the British Parliament. That will be exercised in the national interest. That means that we would expect to see pretty free movement of highly talented labour and, in other aspects of the economy, it is not in the national interest to cause labour shortages. Therefore, businesses should be aware that this is not shutting the door; it is taking back control.

[Michael Tomlinson (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (Con)]

On reciprocal rights for United Kingdom and EU citizens, does the Secretary of State agree that the Prime Minister is absolutely right to be seeking an early resolution, and to be already speaking with individual member states?

[Mr Davis]

My hon. Friend is exactly right and that is why we have taken this strategy. I hope that, at the end of the day, there will be unanimity so we can get early movement.

Article 50

Debate between David Davis and Michael Tomlinson

Monday 7th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davis]

I refer the hon. Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Alan Brown) to the answer I gave earlier.

[Michael Tomlinson (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (Con)]

The independence of the judiciary must be supported and upheld and—I do not say “but”; I say “and”—the Court itself recognised that the case had both political and legal aspects, and that they must be assessed elsewhere, namely in this place. Will the Secretary of State therefore reassure my constituents that he will respect the will of the people and lead us out of the EU?

[Mr Davis]

The aim of our strategy is not only to respect the will of the people and to carry out the national instruction in the national interest, but to respect the laws of our country.