Russia (Sanctions) (EU-Exit) Regulations 2019 Debate

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Department: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Alan Duncan Portrait Sir Alan Duncan
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It is not for me to speak on behalf of the Home Office. There may well be provisions in law for them to be able to do that, should they so wish. Again, that is a broader Home Office issue rather than a Foreign Office matter for this Committee.

Gareth Thomas Portrait Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op)
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On the question of the pressures on the 40 civil servants, surely the threat posed by the Russians is a matter of national security. If there are not enough staff in the Department to implement these sanctions, why has the Foreign Secretary not deployed more staff to enable us to crack on with this?

Alan Duncan Portrait Sir Alan Duncan
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We are cracking on. We are doing everything on time. We will put in place the provision for a continuation of the 30 EU sanctions regimes, should we leave with no deal. Obviously, there will be an implementation period if we leave with a deal.

Gareth Thomas Portrait Gareth Thomas
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indicated dissent.

Alan Duncan Portrait Sir Alan Duncan
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I do not know why the hon. Gentleman shakes his head when this is a straightforward matter of fact. The team have done a good job in making sure that the sanctions regimes will continue in all circumstances. Here we go again.