New Partnership with the EU

Heidi Allen Excerpts

Tuesday 17th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davis]

I was asked by the Select Committee to present a plan as quickly as possible, and that is what we have done.

[Heidi Allen (South Cambridgeshire) (Con)]

I am very pleased to hear that priorities include allowing EU citizens to stay here and allowing us still to access the vital skills that we need, especially for science and innovation. While appreciating that the Prime Minister’s negotiation cannot be open for all to see and that no running commentary will be possible, will the Secretary of State commit to listening to the globally recognised scientific organisations in my constituency, because their needs and requirements must be reflected in our negotiating aims?

[Mr Davis]

Broadly, yes. My hon. Friend is the Member for South Cambridgeshire. I was in Cambridge only just before Christmas to speak to a number of high-tech organisations—one of which was ARM, but a number of others as well, including some pharmaceutical ones—with the direct intention of informing exactly how we approach some of these complex matters in the negotiation.