Oral Answers to Questions

Michael Fabricant Excerpts

Thursday 11th June 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall) (Con)]

What recent progress the Government have made on trade negotiations with the EU.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

What recent assessment he has made of the state of trade negotiations between the UK and the EU; and if he will make a statement.

[Anna McMorrin (Cardiff North) (Lab)]

What recent assessment he has made of the progress of negotiations on the UK’s future relationship with the EU.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

We now go to the shadow of Lichfield Cathedral.

[Michael Fabricant [V]]

Is not the real problem that Michel Barnier has absolutely no room for manoeuvre because he has to do what has been agreed with the other 27 countries? Is not that lack of agility and flexibility the very reason we have decided to leave the EU and why companies such as Nissan and Unilever, which has announced this today, are centring their operations here in the United Kingdom?

[Michael Gove]

My hon. Friend puts it perfectly, and his question is its own answer. I do not think we have heard any sage of Lichfield since Dr Johnson who has put things quite so well.

--- Later in debate ---

[Michael Gove]

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. I know that people in Chesham and Amersham, and elsewhere in Buckinghamshire, have benefited from her advocacy and from the energetic work of the local authority. She is right that we will, in appropriate time, need to recognise the commitment of those in civil society and elsewhere. I know that her championing of their cause has been heard in other parts of Government, and more will follow later in order to recognise exactly the validity of the argument she makes.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con) [V]]

It is lovely to follow my great friend, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Dame Cheryl Gillan).What more can the Government do to encourage people from the private sector to become involved in the management of civil services and agencies such as Public Health England in order to give good management expertise to deliver services to the public?

[Michael Gove]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Attracting people from a wide range of backgrounds into Government and into public service is essential for making sure that we have cognitive diversity, as well as entrepreneurial skills. When we look at how the Government use data, it is vital that we get people in from organisations such as Amazon who have experience in this area. When we think about how we communicate our intent to the broader public, it is also vital to have people who have extensive experience in local radio as entrepreneurs. They can often be some of the most effective communicators, managing to combine authoritative communication with a lightness of touch.