Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts
Tuesday 14th July 2015

(9 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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I say with all respect to the hon. Gentleman that it is for the eurozone countries that participate in the single currency to work out how to address the problem. What has happened to the Greek people is indeed a tragedy, but there are people in other eurozone countries with elected Governments of their own who want to ensure that their taxes are not at risk.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. I fear that the cheeky-chappie disposition of the hon. Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Mr MacNeil) may be incompatible with his long-term aspiration to be viewed as a statesman.

Stewart Malcolm McDonald Portrait Stewart McDonald (Glasgow South) (SNP)
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11. What progress is being made on diplomatic efforts to free the Saudi blogger Raif Badawi.

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Tobias Ellwood Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Tobias Ellwood)
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I am grateful for the question. There is little more we can add at this stage, because the deal is just being concluded in Vienna, as my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe said. We have made it very clear that we need a long-term and comprehensive solution on the Iranian nuclear issue and that we want a durable, verifiable and comprehensive nuclear deal that addresses the proliferation concerns. We will have to wait, but I hope that there will be a statement very shortly.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Perhaps not that shortly. We will see—it might be much later today or it might be tomorrow.

Dan Jarvis Portrait Dan Jarvis
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I thank the Minister for that reply and we look forward to hearing from the Foreign Secretary on his return. Let me turn to the struggle against ISIL. The recent attacks in Tunisia, Cairo and elsewhere have highlighted that we will defeat this threat only by working together as an international community. Will the Minister update the House on what specific actions are now being taken alongside other countries to cut off the finances that fund ISIL’s hateful crimes?

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None Portrait Several hon. Members
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rose

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. I would like to try to accommodate a few more Members, but extreme brevity is now required.

Steve Double Portrait Steve Double (St Austell and Newquay) (Con)
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The events that we have seen unfolding in relation to Greece demonstrate the need for urgent and deep reform within the EU. Does the Minister agree that if the EU does not demonstrate that it is willing or able to reform itself, the British people across the United Kingdom should seriously consider voting no in the referendum?

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None Portrait Several hon. Members
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rose

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. I have extended the envelope and am sorry to disappoint colleagues, but we must now move on.