Oral Answers to Questions

Debbie Abrahams Excerpts
Tuesday 3rd December 2013

(10 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Extreme brevity is now required. I call Debbie Abrahams.

Debbie Abrahams Portrait Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) (Lab)
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We welcome the prospect of the EU-US trade deal, but I would grateful if the Minister confirmed that the NHS will be exempt from the trade negotiations, in exactly the same way that Canada achieved such exemption in its EU trade negotiations. I have had confusing correspondence with the Government on this.

David Lidington Portrait The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington)
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We are seeking a specific reference in the investment chapter of the transatlantic trade and investment partnership to enable the British Government to continue to legislate in the public interest where necessary, but we also want a deal that allows our pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors to compete for more business in the United States.