Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robin Walker and Tom Pursglove

Thursday 27th June 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Walker]

This Government can be proud of the record high employment across the United Kingdom. Perhaps the Scottish Government need to look at the poor performance of the Scottish economy compared with the rest of the UK.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robin Walker and Tom Pursglove

Thursday 16th May 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Robin Walker]

EU nationals play a really important part in all our universities, and I regularly meet the university sector to discuss them. We will absolutely continue to welcome EU nationals to study at our universities after Brexit, but of course, part of the arrangements between us will depend on the future relationship, which will be determined in the next phase of the negotiations. I want to move on so that we can secure the best possible future relationship for our universities.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

Will the Secretary of State set out for the House why a customs union is the wrong policy choice for the future success of the UK economy?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robin Walker and Tom Pursglove

Thursday 19th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Walker]

As the hon. Lady says—I recognise this from my constituency, too—chemicals are an important part of production input, and the proposed free trade area for goods, underpinned by a common rulebook, will protect existing supply chains. Our proposals will ensure that products meet the necessary regulatory requirements for both the UK and EU markets, removing the need for regulatory checks at the border, and will mean that existing chemicals regulations and authorisations will remain valid in both markets.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

Leaving the EU: Sectoral Impact Assessments

Debate between Robin Walker and Tom Pursglove

Tuesday 28th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Walker]

As I made it very clear on the day we debated this issue, the documents did not exist in the form that was requested. We took the motion of the House extremely seriously, and that is why we have made sure that a great deal of information has been provided to the Select Committee.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

Has any formal protocol been put down by the Committee and conveyed to Ministers about how it would handle this information, because that is pertinent in all this?

[Mr Walker]

Not that I am aware of.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robin Walker and Tom Pursglove

Thursday 26th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (Mr Robin Walker)]

We need to engage with the university sector and work with it on a vision for a global Britain that continues to make the UK one of the most attractive places in the world for key talent to come.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has rightly been very clear that this Government will do nothing to damage our industries. I believe that leaving the European Union will be a good thing for our steel industry. This week, the all-party parliamentary group on steel and metal-related industries published its “2020 Vision” report. Would he like me to send a copy to him so that he can look at its recommendations as part of the ongoing policy debate?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robin Walker and Tom Pursglove

Thursday 1st December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Walker]

There is no change for those who are currently participating in, or about to start, Erasmus+. Erasmus+ offers a range of programmes to countries across Europe and beyond. Post-exit access to Erasmus+ will be a matter for the negotiations that will follow the triggering of article 50. The Erasmus+ programme has proved to be a valuable tool that helps organisations and citizens to achieve their potential through international education, training and collaborative opportunities. As part of our vision for the UK as a global nation, I am sure we will want to look at how such an approach can be perpetuated in the future.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

The Secretary of State was absolutely right to say earlier that we only get one chance at this, so the Prime Minister is absolutely right to make sure that we have listened to all the representations, including those from universities, before invoking article 50. Does he agree that it is far preferable to have a full, hearty Brexit than a rushed, messy, unsatisfactory dog’s breakfast?

[Mr Walker]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and it is important that we listen to and take on board the evidence from the university sector.