Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation: Sanctions and Tariffs Debate

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Department: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation: Sanctions and Tariffs

Yvonne Fovargue Excerpts
Wednesday 8th March 2023

(1 year, 8 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Yvonne Fovargue Portrait Yvonne Fovargue (in the Chair)
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I will call Siobhain McDonagh to move the motion and then the Minister to respond. There will not be an opportunity for the Member in charge to wind up, as is the convention for 30-minute debates.

Siobhain McDonagh Portrait Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden) (Lab)
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I beg to move,

That this House has considered sanctions and tariffs on Belarus and Russia.

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Fovargue. Sanctions and the war in Ukraine have been given a great deal of attention, and rightly so. It is fitting that just downstairs in Westminster Hall, Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, was able to address parliamentarians from both sides of the House. Members of all parties have been united in their response to the illegal invasion of Ukraine, and I hope we can continue that cross-party consensus today.

I want to make it clear that I have not held this debate to undermine the Government’s policies on sanctions and tariffs against Russia and Belarus. I am on board with the policy. I agree that we must isolate both Belarus’s and Russia’s economies and target the key industries that support President Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.

--- Later in debate ---
Yvonne Fovargue Portrait Yvonne Fovargue (in the Chair)
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Order. If the hon. Member wishes to speak, did he obtain the permission of the Member in charge and the Minister prior to the debate?

Siobhain McDonagh Portrait Siobhain McDonagh
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I am happy for anyone to contribute to the debate.