European Council Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

European Council

Helen Goodman Excerpts
Monday 23rd October 2017

(7 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Baroness May of Maidenhead Portrait The Prime Minister
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My right hon. Friend is referring to the trust fund that has been established in relation to migration matters in Africa to which the UK has, alongside others, contributed. She is right that the Commission reported that deficit. From the United Kingdom’s point of view, we are putting extra money into activities in Africa in relation to supporting people in countries of origin and transit. We are working alongside that trust fund. The work we are doing is amounting to £75 million.

Helen Goodman Portrait Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab)
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I am sure the Prime Minister’s confidence is well placed in that, were it necessary, the EU would agree to our being an independent member of the World Trade Organisation. In that situation, however, we would also need the agreement of every member, including Russia. What price does she think that Russia would extract?

Baroness May of Maidenhead Portrait The Prime Minister
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We are a member of the WTO, but obviously we have that link in relation to the European Union. In future, we will want to be an independent member. We are working across the WTO to ensure we are able to put in place the necessary arrangements for that to happen.