Balance of Competences

Christopher Pincher Excerpts
Thursday 12th July 2012

(11 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)
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Last, but certainly not least, I call Chris Pincher.

Christopher Pincher Portrait Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con)
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Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker; I know my place.

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on this initiative, but does he agree that when the results of the audit are known, thanks to the supine posture struck by previous Governments, the British people will be shocked at the extent to which the EU involves itself unnecessarily in our affairs?

Lord Hague of Richmond Portrait Mr Hague
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Well, they might be shocked in some areas. I am trying not to prejudge the review, but I cannot exclude the possibility that they will be shocked by some of its findings. I am delighted that there has been such a warm welcome for the review from those who expect to be shocked, those who want to be shocked and those Opposition Members who never seem to have been shocked by the extent of the powers that they handed away.