A New Partnership with the EU

Viscount Ridley Excerpts

Tuesday 17th January 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Kilclooney (CB)]

My Lords—

[Viscount Ridley (Con)]

My Lords—

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach (Con)]

It is the Cross Benches’ turn.

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

I am sorry to disappoint noble Lords again, but I am looking for a successful outcome. We are not entering this in the spirit of looking for anything other than that. That said, and as I said earlier in the Statement, it is the responsibility of any Government to ensure that we prepare for contingencies were that not to be the case.

[Viscount Ridley]

My Lords, I welcome the fact that No. 10 on the list of the Prime Minister’s priorities is making Britain the best place for science and innovation. Does the Minister agree with me that we need to spread the word rapidly and broadly throughout the country that Britain is now open for science and innovation, as it always has been, but that it has been held back by the overzealous application of the precautionary principle by the European Commission and the European Parliament?

[Noble Lords]

Oh!