Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Timms Excerpts
Thursday 4th April 2019

(5 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Kwasi Kwarteng Portrait Kwasi Kwarteng
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I reject the assumption behind the question. As I stated, almost all the SIs required—93% of something like 600—have been passed. The hon. Lady is quite right that there are Bills currently in Parliament that are being discussed and that are going through both Houses. All those Bills provide for a range of negotiation outcomes, as she knows, including a no-deal scenario.

Stephen Timms Portrait Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab)
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Is it not now inconceivable to pass a meaningful vote before the EU Council next Thursday and therefore unavoidable to seek a lengthy Brexit delay and to hold European Parliament elections?

Kwasi Kwarteng Portrait Kwasi Kwarteng
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Given what we have seen in the past few weeks, I would never say “inconceivable”; anything can happen, as the right hon. Gentleman knows. I am confident that we will get a deal through. I am hopeful of that, because that is the only way that we will get a negotiated and orderly exit from the EU.