Oral Answers to Questions

Thangam Debbonaire Excerpts

Thursday 2nd November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Robin Walker]

I have answered questions on that issue in previous question sessions and I have been very clear that it is our intention to seek agreement with the European Union on mutual recognition of protected names of origin, and we will continue to work on its delivery with colleagues at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as we enter the future partnership negotiations.

[Thangam Debbonaire (Bristol West) (Lab)]

This week, the Committee of the Nuclear Safeguards Bill was told by many expert witnesses that the Bill was inadequate and the time insufficient to create an alternative structure for Euratom when we leave the EU. Given the risks, will the Secretary of State commit now to pushing for maintaining our membership of Euratom in the agreement?

[Mr Baker]

The institutions of Euratom are tightly coupled with the institutions of the European Union. Therefore, we need to leave Euratom as we leave the EU.

[Thangam Debbonaire]

That is not the advice.

[Mr Baker]

That is the advice that we have had. We will look carefully at the advice of those experts and take what steps are appropriate to the Government.