Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Thursday 9th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (Mr David Davis)]

I will group this question with questions 11 and 16.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I believe that the Secretary of State seeks to group it with questions 10 and 15.

[Mr Davis]

It is questions 11 and 16 on the old listing, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

It is now questions 10 and 15. That will assist the Secretary of State. We have to keep up with the development of events.

[Mr Davis]

When you get to my age, Mr Speaker, it is so difficult.

As the Prime Minister said in Glasgow last week, as we bring powers and control back to the United Kingdom we must ensure that they are the right powers, at the right level, so that the UK can operate effectively in the interests of all its citizens, including the people of Scotland. Where powers should best sit will be a matter for further consultation and discussion across the United Kingdom.

--- Later in debate ---

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

But is it not the case that when the UK leaves the EU we will be its largest export market? Does the Minister not agree with my favourite politician at the moment, Wolfgang Schäuble, Germany’s Finance Minister, who says that if the Germans or the EU were to cause any damage to the UK, it would be increased tenfold for the EU?

[Mr Speaker]

I am sure the Finance Minister in question will be uncontrollably excited to discover that the hon. Gentleman is such a staunch fan.

[Mr Jones]

My hon. Friend makes an extremely good point: the UK market will be the biggest export market for the continuing European Union after we leave. I am glad to say that that is recognised not only by Herr Schäuble but by the Belgian chamber of commerce, with which I spoke earlier this week.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Davis]

I am not sure whether certainty about the future is a human right—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am not sure whether we should have all these hairist remarks—they are rather unseemly. The hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman) is a distinguished senior statesman in the House.

[Mr Davis]

As I was saying, Mr Speaker, I am not sure whether certainty about the future is a human right, and I am certainly not sure whether the House would necessarily extend it to the hon. Gentleman. The simple truth is that we have a large group of people—some of them European citizens and some of them British citizens abroad—to whom we want to give certainty across the board about their right to remain, their right to healthcare, their right to welfare, and so on. I have now seen, one way or another, representatives of around half the member states, and it is plain to me that they all treat this issue seriously and want to see it dealt with early in the negotiations. That is the Government’s policy—to ensure certainty for everybody.

--- Later in debate ---

[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I remind colleagues that topical questions need to be extremely brief if I am to be able to maximise the number of contributors.

[Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con)]

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

--- Later in debate ---

[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Mr Speaker]

I will take the two colleagues who have not spoken to date, if they are extremely brief.

[Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab)]

From my recent discussions with senior Members of the German Parliament, it is very clear that we are not going to get barrier-free access to the single market if we no longer operate free movement. Do Ministers yet recognise that reality?

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Davis]

I welcome a sinner who repenteth, because after 2019 the hon. Gentleman will have a say on that.

[Mr Speaker]

Before we come to the business question, I want to mention that today is the birthday of the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart). I am sure there will be veritable rejoicing in the streets on this happy occasion—at any rate, at least in Perth and North Perthshire. Happy birthday to the hon. Gentleman.