European Council Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

European Council

Mark Pawsey Excerpts
Thursday 11th April 2019

(5 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Baroness May of Maidenhead Portrait The Prime Minister
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I refer the hon. Lady to the answers I gave earlier in response to questions about a second referendum.

Mark Pawsey Portrait Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con)
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Businesses have been increasing their stocks of raw materials, components and finished goods, in order to avoid the damaging disruption of a no-deal departure from the EU. In the process they have incurred substantial additional warehousing costs, and they have tied up capital that would otherwise be available for investment. What advice would the Prime Minister give to businesses about how long they need to continue with that process?

Baroness May of Maidenhead Portrait The Prime Minister
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My hon. Friend is right to identify the uncertainties that businesses face and the actions they have taken in the face of those uncertainties. I hope businesses will see that by reaching out to the Opposition, the Government are genuinely trying to find a way through this, and to do so within a timescale that gives businesses that certainty as soon as possible.