Extracts from Lords proceedings - Jan 30
Thursday, 31 January 2019 08:19
Extracts from Committee stage (Lords) (day 3) of the Trade
Bill Lord Bilimoria (CB):...Of the UK’s 10 biggest trading
partners, seven are from the EU and eight are from Europe. Under
the gravity model, there are two variables: the distance between
two countries and the size of their economies. There is no surprise
that we do a lot of our trade with the European Union. Yes, China’s
trade is increasing, but the gravity rule means that it will take
time for it to come anywhere...Request free trial
Extracts from Committee
stage (Lords) (day 3) of the Trade Bill
(CB):...Of the UK’s
10 biggest trading partners, seven are from the EU and eight are
from Europe. Under the gravity model, there are two variables: the
distance between two countries and the size of their economies.
There is no surprise that we do a lot of our trade with the
European Union. Yes, China’s trade is increasing, but the gravity
rule means that it will take time for it to come anywhere
close to the trade we do with the European Union. Look at it
historically, before we joined the EEC; look at the decline in EU
trade as a proportion of our trade and the increase of other trade.
Whichever way you look at it, the EU 15 or 20 years from now will
be at least 40% of our trade. The Commonwealth countries in total
make up less than 10% of our trade. That includes India, Australia, New Zealand and Canada...
...Those agreements are going to be hugely difficult to
negotiate. They take a long time to implement, as I
know. India has only nine bilateral free
trade agreements with other countries, and not one with a western
country. This process is going to be hugely difficult, and it looks
as if Parliament is going to be cut out of it altogether. We are
wrecking the constitution of our country and the balance between
the legislature, the Executive and the judiciary. I do not think
the Minister can just say, “We are allowing scrutiny”...
To read the whole debate, CLICK
HERE
Extract from Committee
stage (Lords) (day 2) of the Offensive Weapons Bill
(Con):...The UK as
a whole has a long history with the Sikhs, stemming from
colonial India and the World Wars. We recently
celebrated the centenary of the Armistice ending the First World
War, and I have spoken in your Lordships’ House on the contribution
of the soldiers from the sub-continent of India. India raised an army of over 1 million
soldiers, 20% of whom were Sikhs. We owe gratitude to the Sikhs for
the sacrifices they have made to preserve our way of life. This
amendment is an opportunity to provide a specific defence for those
who possess—I emphasise “possess”, as they do not necessarily wear
it—the kirpan...
To read the whole debate, CLICK
HERE
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