Summary

  • The House of Lords debates private members' bills

  1. Whips patrolling...published at 17:59 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

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  2. Non-EU car parts are used all the time - Redwoodpublished at 17:58 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

    Trade Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    John RedwoodImage source, HoC

    Conservative John Redwood says that non-EU car parts are used all the time in the car manufacturing process and these companeis have no issues with just in time delivery.

    EU trade is not "without" bureaucracy, he says, and everything will be worked out away from the lorries themselves, electronically.

    "It will be a great future for us," he says, adding that the UK "must have" freedom, as voters will not accept anything less.

  3. What does New Clause 17 say?published at 17:58 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

    Trade Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

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  4. Tory MP: Government position 'completely incomprehensible'published at 17:58 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

    Trade Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Ken ClarkeImage source, HoC

    Conservative MP Ken Clarke expresses his support for NC9, NC17 (which affects medicines) and NC18, questioning why the government is resisting this, which he finds "completely incomprehensible".

    "I personally can't see why we're losing the single market and the customs union, which didn't follow from the referendum at all," he says, but is willing to give government a chance to find an alternative if they can, which he suggests NC18 offers.

    On continued membership European Medicines Agency, "what on earth is this being resisted for?"

  5. Are we looking at a government defeat?published at 17:57 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

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  6. Staying in EU medical agency 'vital'published at 17:54 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

    Trade Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Conservative Dr Phillip Lee, who resigned from the government over Brexit, stands to support his amendment on staying in the EMA.

    A medical doctor, he says this is "vital" for quick access to "life-saving drugs". He says leaving the EMA would create an effective "hard border" in the drugs market. He says some medicines are already being stockpiled.

    "It is hard to think of any other product" so dependant on free trade, he says.

    He asks the government to adopt his amendments and says he is also supporting New Clause 18.

  7. UK must remain part of the European medicines frameworkpublished at 17:51 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

    Trade Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Dr Paul WilliamsImage source, HoC

    Labour's Dr Paul Williams says that the UK has lost the site of the European Medicines Authority to the Netherlands, but is calling for the UK to remain as part of the framework.

    The EU comprises 22% of the global pharmaceuticals market, which makes businesses keen for the EU to approve new drugs, he says.

    Switzerland and Canada have a six months delay in receiving new drugs, he states.

    "We are already seeing the high cost of Brexit to the NHS," he states.

  8. Hammond: My amendment 'absolutely in line with the white paper'published at 17:48 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

    Trade Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Stephen HammondImage source, HoC

    Tory MP Stephen Hammond has tabled two amendments to the bill, which aim to ensure the UK negotiates to either join EFTA and continue as signatory to the EEA (New Clause 9), or to negotiate to remain part of a customs union if a free trade agreement is not agreed by the 21 January 2019 (New Clause 18).

    He says his second amendment "is absolutely in line with the white paper".

    Minister George Hollingbery suggests he intends to table an amendment in the Lords to ensure the terms of the white paper are followed, which is met with laughs from the chamber.

    Mr Hammond argues that the only reason the government is not supporting his amendment is because of the use of the word "union", and that it would not restrict their ability to negotiate their own free trade deals as the government claims.

  9. What is New Clause 18?published at 17:41 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

    Trade Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    New Clause 18 would follow current government policy to try and negotiate a free trade agreement - but if this is not achieved by 21 January 2019, the objective of government will become to negotiate a customs union.

    This has become the main threat to the government, instead of New Clause 5, put forward by Anna Soubry, Ken Clarke and many Labour MPs, which would mandate the government to negotiate a customs union.

    NC18 is gaining popularity among Tory Remainers as it is seen by supporters to be in accordance with the White Paper.

  10. Government should be listening to what business wantspublished at 17:39 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

    Trade Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Judith CumminsImage source, HoC

    Shadow trade minister Judith Cummins says that the government should do "as we have done" and listen to what business wants.

    Labour will also support New Clause 17 which means that the UK will continue to participate in the EU medicines framework.

    The party also supports further amendments to give the devolved nations a representative on the Trade Remedies Authority, she states.

  11. Government: Bill is about continuitypublished at 17:38 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

    Trade Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    George HollingberyImage source, HoC

    The Commons now moves on to debate the remaining amendments to the bill.

    International Trade Minister George Hollingbery rises to speak, focusing on the government's amendments for the sake of time, especially considering the number tabled, and says he will respond to the other amendments later.

    "This bill is about continuity rather than future arrangement," he stresses, appealing for the house to support the government.

  12. MPs reject SNP amendmentpublished at 17:27 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

    Trade Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    MPs have voted against the SNP's Amendment 25, which would have meant regulations could not be agreed without the consent of the devolved administrations.

    Ayes: 37

    Noes: 318

    Majority: 281

    The Commons agrees further government amendments, 49 and 50, as well as 69-76.

  13. Apology from colleaguepublished at 17:18 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

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  14. Commons reject Labour devolution Trade Bill amendmentpublished at 17:18 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

    Trade Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    MPs have rejected the Labour Party's NC4, which would have forced the UK government to consult with devolved authority ministers where regulations affect devolved competence.

    The government say the clause was unnecessary as they've already committed to consultation.

    Ayes: 248

    Noes: 316

    Majority: 68

    The Commons now votes on SNP's Amendment 25, which would ensure that regulations cannot be made without consent of ministers of devolved administrations.

    Labour say this would be an overreach and give the SNP the "ultimate power of veto".

  15. Report on new complaints scheme availablepublished at 17:07 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

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  16. Commons divide on New Clause 4published at 17:06 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

    Trade Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    MPs are voting on Labour's New Clause 4 of the Trade Bill, which would ensure that regulations made by the UK government within devolved competence require the consent of Ministers in devolved authorities.

  17. Minister: New Clause 4 "unnecessary"published at 16:59 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

    Trade Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Minister George Hollingbery responds to the debate. He says the government has repeatedly committed to consult devolved administrations whenever it uses the new powers in the bill, and therefore New Clause 4 is "unnecessary".

    Barry Gardiner intervenes to say it must be clear that a commitment is not the same as a concrete clause in the bill. Mr Hollingbery responds that the Sewel convention, which governs the roles of central and devolved administrations, has worked for many years without being formalised.

    He says on some issues it is "right and proper" that on some areas the interests of the whole of the UK should take precedent. He says the government's amendments on this issue greatly improve the bill and "demonstrate significant progress in our discussions" with devolved administrations.

    He urges the House not to support New Clause 4.

  18. Devolved arrangements after Brexit 'unsustainable'published at 16:56 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

    Trade Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Angus MacNeilImage source, HoC

    SNP MP Angus MacNeil, who chairs the International Trade Committee, says the expected arrangement of international trade agreements being negotiated by the UK government, with the devolved government's involvement "minimal", is "an unsustainable way of going forward".

    Despite claims by others to respect devolution, he says "when push comes to shove, we've seen all the way through the EU withdrawal that Scotland is being pushed to one side and it is all rhetoric".

    "If the government had the good grace to put their rhetoric into action they would accept our amendments."

  19. SNP: the government forgets Scotlandpublished at 16:50 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

    Trade Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    The SNP's Kirsty Blackman says Scottish people are worried because they have been badly served by the UK government for decades. She says the UK government forgets that Scotland exists, citing fisheries policy which has taken rights from Scottish fishermen in favour of those in England.

    Conservative John Redwood intervenes to say this was a EU decision. But Ms Blackman says it was the UK government which negotiated this.

    She says the SNP's amendments are essential to ensure Scotland is protected.

  20. Bebb - 'Bizarre' to see me as a rebelpublished at 16:50 British Summer Time 17 July 2018

    Conservative MP Guto Bebb tells BBC Wales why he quit the government over Brexit.

    Read More