EU: United Kingdom

Lord Clinton-Davis Excerpts

Monday 26th November 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Warsi]

My Lords, I know that there is a wide variety of opinions in this House, including on my Back Benches. All opinions in the House are valid in their own right. In relation to the budget negotiations, the Prime Minister will soon make a Statement about last week’s meeting. The Leader of the House of Lords will repeat the Statement later today, so it would be inappropriate for me to deal with that. On our relationship with Germany, I agree with my noble friend; we have a strong relationship. Germany is the UK’s second largest export market worldwide. The UK is Germany’s sixth largest trade partner. Great Britain is the first investment destination for German companies. Almost one in six of all foreign companies in Germany are British. There is a strong relationship that continues to grow.

[Lord Clinton-Davis]

Does the Government’s strategy of aligning Britain with the far right members of the EU alienate or befriend Germany?

[Baroness Warsi]

I am afraid I did not catch the question completely.

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Clinton-Davis]

What I asked is whether the Government’s strategy of aligning Britain with the far right members of the EU alienates or befriends Germany.

[Baroness Warsi]

I thank the noble Lord for the question but I disagree with the statement he makes; the Government are not aligning themselves with the far right in Europe.