Extract from Commons
third reading debate on the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement)
Bill
Mr (North Shropshire) (Con):...Yet
again, the Scottish National party is anti-business, cavilling away
and looking for problems. There are fantastic opportunities for
Scotland. Our largest export industry is food and drink, and a
large element of that is Scottish whisky. When I was in the
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, we calculated
that if we did a deal with India where there are currently duties of
up to 550%, and we got duties down, there is not enough distilling
capacity in the whole of Scotland to satisfy thirsty Indian quality
whisky drinkers...
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Extracts from Lords
debate on the Queen's Speech
(CB):...In particular, I
am keen to understand what the Minister makes of recent
developments pertaining to health data in China and India and data
localisation restrictions on sensitive personal and biometric data.
Replying on behalf of DCMS on 7 January to my Question for Written
Answer, the noble Baroness, Lady Barran, stated:
“The Government considers that in the UK, data localisation
should be limited to cases that are specific and
well-justified”...
(CB):...Real
breakthroughs are needed in energy generation, storage and smart
grids to meet the 2050 targets, but there is a stronger
motivation. We produce only 1% of global
CO2 emissions—itself not crucial—but
we produce more than 10% of the world’s high-impact research. If
a scaled-up and wisely prioritised programme led to cheaper
carbon-free generation, India and other vast developing
markets could leapfrog directly to clean energy rather than
building coal-fired power stations. Our efforts could thereby
make far more than a 1% difference to the world, and to our
national economic benefit. It would be hard to conceive of a more
inspiring challenge for young scientists and engineers or a
better investment in the UK’s future than devising clean and
economical energy systems for the world. Likewise, incidentally,
we can contribute disproportionately to another global challenge,
sustainable food production, if we expand and deploy our
world-leading expertise in genetics and plant
science...
(Con):...I also welcome
the return of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bill to your
Lordships’ House. There have been a number of welcome
improvements to the Bill since we last considered it. However,
there is a major issue, which many of your Lordships will have
watched with concern since we last discussed the Birmingham 2022
legislation. The concern surrounds the possibility—albeit, I
hope, declining in recent weeks—of a boycott by the Indian team
in response to the decision not to hold shooting events as part
of the programme.
On Boxing Day, it was announced that the National Rifle
Association of India had expressed its commitment to hosting a
shooting competition before Birmingham 2022, to allow medals
there to count towards the overall Commonwealth Games table. In
essence, these medals would be treated in nature as an opening
balance for each competing nation to build upon during the Games.
Commonwealth Games Federation President Louise Martin was
reported as saying:
“We look forward to supporting”
the Indian proposal, which she saw as an “innovative proposal”. I
would be grateful if, during the proceedings of the Birmingham
Commonwealth Games Bill, or earlier if possible, the Minister
could enlighten the House as to whether any further progress has
been made...
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