Brexit: Preparations

Debate between Lord Haskel and Lord Callanan

Tuesday 8th October 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Callanan]

I thank my noble friend for his question. The proposal we have put forward is for Northern Ireland to be aligned with the EU single market for agri-foods and industrial goods but not part of the customs union, but he makes an important point.

[Lord Haskel (Lab)]

My Lords, under the heading “Harnessing Economic Opportunities”, the paper speaks of,

“a different approach to government procurement”.

What will this approach be? Is the idea that it will help UK companies? Will it incorporate British Standard 95009, a new standard that sets out the social and economic standards for public procurement? Is the idea of this to help UK companies? If so, how will that operate under WTO rules?

[Lord Callanan]

Of course we will always want to act in compliance with WTO rules, but the noble Lord will be well aware of the EU public procurement directives, which offer a very rigid and inflexible approach to public procurement. It is one of the many opportunities that we will be able to indulge in with smarter regulation but, of course, any proposals will be fully discussed in this House and the other place.