Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Heath and Charlie Elphicke

Thursday 16th May 2013 Commons Chamber

[Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con)]

3. If he will consider banning live animal exports from British ports; and if he will make a statement.

[The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mr David Heath)]

Banning the export of live animals would be illegal and undermine the principle of the free movement of goods enshrined in the treaty on the functioning of the European Union.

[Charlie Elphicke]

My constituents are concerned about live animal exports: they think them bad for animal welfare and the local economy. Will the Minister confirm that no amendment could be made to any of the harbours or ports Acts that would be effective in tackling this cruel and unwanted trade?

[Mr Heath]

The key piece of legislation here is the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847, which would be a singularly inappropriate vehicle for any such ban, because its aim is to ensure that ports are available to all without discrimination. Even were one to set that aside, however, no such ban would be legal under the free trade rules that this country is not only a signatory to, but the architect of.

Backbench Business Committee

Debate between David Heath and Charlie Elphicke

Tuesday 12th June 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Heath]

Whether the Government have any mechanism to do that is in the hands of the Backbench Business Committee, which was set up by this Government. Incidentally, it was not set up by the hon. Member for Penistone and Stocksbridge (Angela Smith), who was so concerned about the progress towards a House business committee that her Government would not allow a Backbench Business Committee of any kind. We set it up and are very proud of its progress over the past year. I am pleased that it has managed to do the work that it has done, and I look forward to it doing its work in the years ahead.

[Charlie Elphicke]

rose—

[Mr Heath]

The hon. Gentleman wants to delay his own Adjournment debate. I am happy to allow him to intervene.

[Charlie Elphicke]

I have a very brief point. Sometimes, the Leader of the House is given a hard time about how things are with the Backbench Business Committee. However, is it not right to say that it was very much his brainchild to make it happen and to implement it? Should not the House recognise that he has fostered this major improvement in our parliamentary machinery, which the previous Government did nothing about?

[Mr Heath]

I am perfectly happy to take credit on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House for implementing what was clearly set out in the Wright Committee report. I thought it was a great shame that the report was not implemented by the previous Government, but it has been and will be by this Government. I commend the Wright Committee’s report to everybody who wants to see the way forward on some of the relevant issues.