G8

John Bercow Excerpts

Wednesday 19th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

The moment has arrived for the hon. Member for Bristol West (Stephen Williams), who need no longer look downcast in any way.

[Stephen Williams (Bristol West) (LD)]

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. All my colleagues thought that I was going to be left out. When I used to read double tax treaties, they were written in a bygone age and mentioned quarrying, forestry and the signatory powers of overseas agents. Will the Prime Minister use Britain’s position in the OECD to ensure that those treaties are brought up to date, particularly in regard to e-commerce, where so much international tax avoidance is done?

--- Later in debate ---

[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The Chair is minded to take all remaining colleagues on these extremely important matters. The Prime Minister is helpfully providing pithy replies, which of course now need to be matched with comparably pithy questions.

[Dr Sarah Wollaston (Totnes) (Con)]

I congratulate the Prime Minister on the progress made at the G8 and on his commitment today to come to the House before taking major action on Syria. Will he confirm that that would include an opportunity for the House to vote before any arms were sent to Syria?