Topical Questions 2020-02-27
2020-02-27
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Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The European Commission had recently engaged in bluster and sabre rattling regarding the UK-EU relationship.
Given the ridiculous bluster and sabre rattling that we have heard from the European Commission in the past few days, what assessment have the Government made of the damage the European Union would do to its own economy if it denied itself access to the United Kingdom market?
My right hon. Friend makes a characteristically acute point. It is the case that the European Union exports more in goods to the UK than we export to the EU. Were some voices—I stress that it is a minority of voices in the European Union—to prevail and were they not to progress these negotiations in the way that, I am sure, we would all want to see, there would be damage to the EU's economy, and that is the last thing that I want to see.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Andrew Sabisky was previously associated with controversial views.
Was Andrew Sabisky recruited to work on the defence and security review that the Prime Minister announced yesterday?
Mr Sabisky was dismissed before the review embarked on its work.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
Responding to the Minister's earlier statement, Lloyd Russell-Moyle points out that Portugal and some Scandinavian countries have arrangements allowing non-citizens to vote under certain conditions.
Will the Minister reconsider our current system where people who may have lived in the UK for decades, pay taxes here, or even been born here cannot vote here?
To clarify, I said that was the case as far as I knew. The hon. Gentleman has added two further examples to our debate. While we should consider such cases and have discussions, the Government's stance remains focused on current enfranchised voters under Representation of the People Acts. Citizenship restrictions are common for national elections in the EU and most democracies.
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Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
Mr Doughty questions the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster regarding Michael Gove's earlier response about his ignorance on whether Mr Sabisky met officials involved in the defence and security review.
Stephen Doughty asks if the Minister can provide a clear yes or no answer to this question: did Mr Sabisky meet any civil servants working on the defence and security review?
I have no idea.
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