Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Wera Hobhouse Excerpts
Monday 21st February 2022

(2 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mark Spencer Portrait Mark Spencer
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It will. That is the purpose of the SI: the sanctions are being provided for so that the UK Government can take strong action against an aggressive Russian state. Should Russia take unilateral action and go into Ukraine, the sanctions will be available to us and will be very robust.

Wera Hobhouse Portrait Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD)
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We Liberal Democrats support the Government’s introduction of this sanctions legislation, but believe that they should go even further and root out dirty money now. The Registration of Overseas Entities Bill will do just that, and it is ready to go. Does the Leader of the House agree that we do not need to wait until the next parliamentary Session, because we can get on with that now?

Mark Spencer Portrait Mark Spencer
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This statutory instrument widens the scope of the individuals against whom we can take action. I thank the hon. Lady for her support. It is vital that the House be united on this matter, and I hope that the Liberal Democrats will be in the Chamber tomorrow to engage in the debate and to make those points.