Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Bryant Excerpts

Thursday 9th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (Mr David Davis)]

I am going to get the hang of this, Mr Speaker. I ask to group questions 11 and 14. In a few years, I will get used to this place—then I will retire.

[Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab)]

Resign?

[Mr Davis]

I said retire, not resign.

We are working closely with the Scottish Government to ensure the best deal for Scotland and the rest of the UK as we leave the European Union. We share many objectives, including having an open and outward-looking country, ensuring access to labour, collaborating on science and research, protecting workers’ rights, having a smooth and orderly exit process, and guaranteeing the rights of EU nationals in the UK and of UK nationals in the European Union. We should also agree that there should be no new barriers to living and doing business within our own Union. They should not be created.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Davis]

That is not the response I am getting from the Ministers I have spoken to around Europe. What they have come back with is that they want a constructive outcome, and the only way to get a constructive outcome is to have a comprehensive free trade arrangement.

[Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab)]

Under the common agricultural policy, some of the richest people in this country get millions of pounds in handouts from the taxpayer, which must surely be wrong. When we are in charge of our own agricultural policy, would it not be a good idea to put a cap on how much people get, just as we have a benefits cap?

[Mr Davis]

I welcome a sinner who repenteth, because after 2019 the hon. Gentleman will have a say on that.