Hauliers
Debate between Lord Lexden and Lord Strasburger(3 years, 2 months ago)
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Lord Strasburger (LD) [V]
My Lords, a highly successful sector of the UK haulage industry specialises in transporting staging, instruments and equipment around the UK and Europe for touring musicians. There are about eight major companies in this sector and they also work for dance companies, theatre, fashion, museums, and big events businesses. These British companies are pre-eminent in their field and it is estimated that they transport 80% of British and American bands on European tours.
However, the Government’s failure to secure a cultural exemption from cabotage rules in the EU trade negotiations means that it is all going to hell in a handcart. Their trucks must now return to the UK every two gigs in a tour of perhaps 25 venues, which is not remotely feasible. They are moving their businesses into the EU, at great cost to themselves and UK plc. How did the Government allow this catastrophe to happen and what are they going to do to save the industry?
The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord Lexden) (Con)
I call the noble Lord, Lord Bhatia. No? Then I call the noble Baroness, Lady Bull.
Business of the House
Debate between Lord Lexden and Lord Strasburger(5 years, 1 month ago)
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Lord Strasburger
I think we have heard enough, have we not? I move that the Question be now put.
The Deputy Speaker (Lord Lexden) (Con)
My Lords, you are now familiar with these words but I must read them again in accordance with the procedures of the House. I am instructed by order of the House to say that the Motion that the Question be now put is considered to be a most exceptional procedure and the House will not accept it save in circumstances where it is felt to be the only means of ensuring the proper conduct of the business of the House. Further, if a Member who seeks to move it persists in his intention, the practice of the House is that the Question on the Motion is put without debate. Does the noble Lord still wish to move the closure?