Oral Answers to Questions

Neil Carmichael Excerpts

Tuesday 10th November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Anna Soubry]

As I keep saying, it is a consultation so we will listen to everybody. It is important that we strike the balance fairly between both sides of the argument, and that we understand and accept that there has been a great deal of movement to the betterment of tenants over the past few years. We must recognise that. I know from my own constituency work that pub companies such as Punch and Greene King have hugely changed their views to the benefit of tenants, and that must be welcomed.

[Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con)]

6. What his priorities are for business in the Government’s negotiations for reform of the EU.

[The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and President of the Board of Trade (Sajid Javid)]

We must empower businesses to compete more effectively by accelerating the integration of the single market, especially in the services, digital and energy sectors. We will do this by cutting red tape for business and pushing for more ambitious free trade agreements between the EU and the rest of the world.

[Neil Carmichael]

Does the Secretary of State agree that the best interests of business will be served by our being a member of a reformed and reforming European Union? That extends to our remaining in the single market. From my right hon. Friend’s vantage point as President of the Board of Trade, it is extraordinarily useful that the European Union can negotiate such good strong deals for us globally.