Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Oliver Dowden and Stephen Doughty

Tuesday 14th January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Oliver Dowden (Hertsmere) (Con)]

The Minister keeps telling the House that negotiations with Mauritius have been going on for two years. Will he explain to the House why he is so reluctant to extend those negotiations by just one week until the Trump Administration take office? They may take a very different view of the negotiations from that of the Biden Administration.

[Stephen Doughty]

I simply refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answers I have given repeatedly. This deal is in the interests of the United Kingdom and in the interests of the United States, and it has been supported by all parts of the United States Administration. There is no rush. There are ongoing discussions, but we are not going to give a running commentary.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Oliver Dowden and Stephen Doughty

Wednesday 5th July 2023 Commons Chamber

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

I join my hon. Friend in relaying the Government’s congratulations to her. I will ensure the Secretary of State hears the representations he makes.

[Stephen Doughty (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/Co-op)]

Q9. Universities in Cardiff and across the UK are home to world-leading research and innovation, but thousands of jobs and huge amounts of expertise are now at risk because of the Government’s dithering in the negotiations over Horizon. The Financial Times reported last week that Sir Paul Nurse, Nobel laureate and head of the Francis Crick Institute, described the delays as “absurd” and “damaging science and damaging the country”. Are the Government still committed to negotiating a deal? If they are, why do they not get on with it?

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

Since we agreed the Windsor framework we have had very constructive discussions on Horizon, but the difference between my party and the hon. Gentleman’s party is that we will not accept a deal at any price. We will wait until we get the best deal for the British people and British universities.