Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Mark Pritchard Excerpts
Tuesday 3rd November 2015

(9 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Thérèse Coffey Portrait Dr Coffey
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I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question. He was my predecessor in this role, so he will be aware of standing at this Dispatch Box. I do not think that this is a case of washing dirty linen. An orderly question has been asked, and although the answer might not be the one he wanted to hear, I believe that it has explained why the delegation is as it is.

Mark Pritchard Portrait Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con)
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I recognise the huge contribution that my hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch (Mr Chope) has made to the Council of Europe, particularly on the important issue of migration. I encourage him not to be downhearted, however, because there are still independent-minded Conservative Members of Parliament on the list of delegates. There are, for example, Members who campaigned and voted for a European Union referendum. The shadow Leader of the House, the hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant), was wrong to suggest that the list is full of Conservative sycophants.

Thérèse Coffey Portrait Dr Coffey
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My hon. Friend has also joined the parliamentary delegation, representing the Conservative party. I am sure that he will be a robust voice in Strasbourg and that he will raise important issues on which all members of the Conservative party are united.