Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Deidre Brock and Matt Hancock

Thursday 15th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Matt Hancock]

The sector is going from strength to strength. I strongly support it in doing so. We will continue our support for Channel 4, for appointments based on merit and for the great British TV sector.

[Deidre Brock (Edinburgh North and Leith) (SNP)]

6. What assessment she has made of the potential effect on the UK’s creative industries of the UK leaving the EU.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Deidre Brock and Matt Hancock

Wednesday 15th June 2016 Commons Chamber

[Deidre Brock (Edinburgh North and Leith) (SNP)]

2. What representations he has received on his Department’s boycott and divestment guidance.

[The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Matthew Hancock)]

We have received a wide range of representations about boycotts in public procurement. The Government’s position is very clear: public sector organisations should not use procurement to run their own independent foreign policies.

[Deidre Brock]

Does the Minister agree that people who stand for election to local authorities and who then serve as councillors perform an important role in communities the length and breadth of these islands, and does he further agree that they should be trusted to make political judgments for themselves? Will the Government abandon the boycott and divestment guidance in favour of supporting local democracy?

[Matthew Hancock]

Yes, I think councillors do an excellent job at what councils are meant to do, but councils are not meant to set foreign policy, and attempts at local foreign policies that are discriminatory are potentially illegal, and we make that clear at every opportunity.