Next Steps in Leaving the European Union

Owen Paterson Excerpts
Monday 10th October 2016

(7 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Davis Portrait Mr Davis
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That is an extraordinary assertion, even if it parodies Harold Wilson, one of the hon. Gentleman’s previous heroes.

Owen Paterson Portrait Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire) (Con)
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Will the Secretary of State please clarify for the benefit of Opposition Front Benchers this incredibly simple point: independent countries can trade most successfully with the single market without being a member of the single market?

David Davis Portrait Mr Davis
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My right hon. Friend is right that more than 20 countries have had more success in growth terms when trading into the single market than we have had in the past 10 or 20 years. He is absolutely right that it is not necessary to be a member of the single market to trade incredibly successfully inside it.