Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Ian Murray Excerpts
Thursday 16th March 2017

(7 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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The enforcement of the law is, rightly, a matter not for Ministers but for independent police and prosecuting authorities.

Ian Murray Portrait Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab)
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The Prime Minister said in this House on Tuesday that at the recent European Council meeting she encouraged the EU to

“complete the single market and the digital single market.”—[Official Report, 14 March 2017; Vol. 623, c. 180.]

May we have a statement or a debate in this House on why it is in the UK’s national interest for the EU to complete those markets but it is not in the UK’s national interest to be part of them?

David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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It is in the UK’s national interest that the European Union, with which we are negotiating a new partnership, has a system of economic co-operation that is as friendly to open markets and free trade as possible, because that will enhance the opportunities for our companies and citizens when it comes to that new relationship. I would have thought that was an objective that the hon. Gentleman would support.