Europe

Lord Hain Excerpts

Wednesday 30th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hague]

I will give way to the right hon. Member for Neath (Mr Hain) and then to one Government Member.

[Mr Peter Hain (Neath) (Lab)]

I am grateful to the Foreign Secretary; he is being very generous. Having represented the Government for two years in Europe, it is clear to me that we can best stand up for Britain’s interests, and sometimes achieve our objectives against all the odds, by building alliances and friendships and being right in there negotiating. How is he getting along with that enterprise?

[Mr Hague]

I have just pointed out many of the things that we have achieved. The reason we have had such strong support from Germany, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands on the EU budget is that we have built alliances. The reason that the EU patent regime has been brought in is that we have built alliances. I hope that that is well understood by Members from all parts of the House.