European Summit Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

European Summit

Denis MacShane Excerpts
Thursday 24th March 2011

(13 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I call Denis MacShane.

Denis MacShane Portrait Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham) (Lab)
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Obrigado, Mr Speaker.

The plain fact is that Portugal is our oldest ally. It is in trouble and we should help. When Margaret Thatcher brought the rebate back, she was questioned by a Eurosceptic on the Labour Benches who asked, “Why are you allowing more money to go from the British taxpayer to all these new countries?” She replied: “We should help Portugal”. We should do the same tonight. I hope that our Prime Minister will remember our longest, oldest friendship with any European country, and ignore the Eurosceptic waffle from those sitting behind the Front Bench.

Mark Hoban Portrait Mr Hoban
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I do not believe it is appropriate at this stage to engage in speculation about the Portuguese economy. There has been no request for a bail-out, and further comment would be unhelpful.