Oral Answers to Questions

Peter Grant Excerpts
Tuesday 21st February 2017

(7 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alan Duncan Portrait Sir Alan Duncan
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The Government aim to secure the best possible outcome for UK science and research as we leave the European Union. The EU and the UK have publicly emphasised the importance of continuing to work together to produce high-quality research, so both at home and abroad we will remain at the forefront of science and research.

Peter Grant Portrait Peter Grant (Glenrothes) (SNP)
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In paragraph 10.14 of their White Paper, the Government tell us that they

“would welcome agreement…with our European partners”

on science and technology issues, but they give no indication of how that agreement will be achieved—no timetable, no detail and absolutely no guarantees. Will the Minister tell us what discussions have taken place, rather than simply telling us that the Government have had discussions?

Alan Duncan Portrait Sir Alan Duncan
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The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy leads on science, but this will be an essential part of the negotiations we conduct with the European Union after we have triggered article 50.