Debate on bill on Tuesday, 6 November 2012, in the House of Commons, led by David Lidington.

European Union (Croatian Accession and Irish Protocol) Bill

Agreed to on question. Programme motion agreed to on question.

Secondary information

Type: Parliamentary proceeding
Reference: 552 cc757-804
Session: 2012-13
Department: Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Legislative stage: Second reading
Procedure: Programme motions
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP2012-1750
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Deposited papers
House of Commons; European Union (Croatian Accession and Irish Protocol) Bill [Bill 76 of 2012-13]
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Research briefings
Proceeding contributions: David Lidington | 552 c758 (Link to this contribution)
I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.
I convey the regrets of my right ho...; Henry Smith | 552 c758 (Link to this contribution)
I very much welcome those transitional immigration controls that will be imposed for the accessio...; David Lidington | 552 c758 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his comments. I hope to say more about the transitional contr...; Angus Robertson | 552 c758 (Link to this contribution)
I endorse the Minister’s comments. May I invite him to underline that the accession agreement for...; David Lidington | 552 c758 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman is right. Our support should not only be about what Europe is or ought to be; ...; Michael Connarty | 552 c759 (Link to this contribution)
Just to clarify, as well as the rights and responsibilities that will come to Croatia if we pass ...; David Lidington | 552 c759 (Link to this contribution)
Croatia’s accession treaty provides for it to join the Schengen area and the eurozone, but, as th...; Mark Field | 552 c759 (Link to this contribution)
The Minister referred to Romanian and Bulgarian accession. He will recall that before they joined...; David Lidington | 552 cc759-760 (Link to this contribution)
I want to come to that in greater detail later, but I can say now that the process that Croatia h...; Mark Field | 552 c760 (Link to this contribution)
I hope that the Minister will forgive me, but his answer prompts a further question. He referred ...; David Lidington | 552 c760 (Link to this contribution)
Yes, we have made it clear—my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary repeated this in Belgrade i...; Kelvin Hopkins | 552 c760 (Link to this contribution)
My constituency is home to some Bosnian Muslims. The accession of Croatia will erect a much more ...; David Lidington | 552 cc760-1 (Link to this contribution)
I hope that the requirement to police the external EU border between Croatia and Bosnia and Herze...; Graham Stringer | 552 c761 (Link to this contribution)
Is that not a rather pious hope? Once Croatia is a member, if it decides to resile from the commi...; David Lidington | 552 c761 (Link to this contribution)
There are within the treaties articles that can be invoked. For example, if a member state depart...; Michael Connarty | 552 c761 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; David Lidington | 552 c761 (Link to this contribution)
Let me say this, then I will give way. Croatia has applied for European Union membership both bec...; Michael Connarty | 552 c762 (Link to this contribution)
The Minister has led on to the question that I wished to ask. He mentioned application for Scheng...; David Lidington | 552 cc762-4 (Link to this contribution)
What Croatia has to do is what was set out in the negotiating chapters, particularly in chapter 2...; Lord Sharma | 552 c764 (Link to this contribution)
There will obviously be a seven-year transition period on economic migration from Croatia. Can th...; David Lidington | 552 c764 (Link to this contribution)
The answer is that we cannot go beyond the period for transitional controls laid down in the trea...; Jacob Rees-Mogg | 552 c764 (Link to this contribution)
May I add a rider to the Minister’s answer? This is without a “notwithstanding” clause to the Eur...; David Lidington | 552 c764 (Link to this contribution)
This Parliament can of course pass any legislation it wishes to. In that sense, what my hon. Frie...; William Cash | 552 c764 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; David Lidington | 552 c764 (Link to this contribution)
I know that I will have disappointed my hon. Friend grievously.; William Cash | 552 c764 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend, far from disappointing me, has enlivened me to rise, and I do so for this v...; David Lidington | 552 c764 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is tempting me dangerously far from the scope of the debate, but I simply refer hi...; John Bercow | 552 c765 (Link to this contribution)
Order. The right hon. Gentleman is a most earnest and assiduous member of Her Majesty’s Governmen...; David Lidington | 552 c765 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful for that rescue, Mr Speaker. I want to move on to one other element of the Committe...; Wayne David | 552 c765 (Link to this contribution)
I understand that there has been a long-standing dispute about moneys held in the Ljubljanska ban...; David Lidington | 552 cc765-6 (Link to this contribution)
I discussed that with both the Slovenian and Croatian Governments when I was visiting Ljubljana a...; Angus Robertson | 552 c766 (Link to this contribution)
For decades since independence, there have been associations between the former Yugoslavia and th...; David Lidington | 552 c766 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman is right. According to our figures for 2011, about 2,000 Croatians emigrated t...; Michael Connarty | 552 c766 (Link to this contribution)
I appreciate the Minister’s argument about the small number of those likely to immigrate legally....; David Lidington | 552 cc766-7 (Link to this contribution)
That is a perfectly fair question, but I assure the hon. Gentleman that there is no evidence at t...; Angus Robertson | 552 c767 (Link to this contribution)
I invite the Minister to take the opportunity to acknowledge that the Irish protocol underlines t...; David Lidington | 552 c767 (Link to this contribution)
It is very welcome that the Irish protocol makes that assertion about tax sovereignty, which is i...; Jacob Rees-Mogg | 552 c767 (Link to this contribution)
I wonder whether, while negotiating the Irish protocol and the Czech protocol, Her Majesty’s
<...; David Lidington | 552 c768 (Link to this contribution)
As I said, the protocol was negotiated in 2009, so I fear that my hon. Friend’s challenge has to ...; Mark Durkan | 552 c768 (Link to this contribution)
Does the Minister accept that the protocol confirms the pre-existing sphere of competence of Irel...; David Lidington | 552 c768 (Link to this contribution)
Yes, I do.; Jacob Rees-Mogg | 552 c768 (Link to this contribution)
I wanted my right hon. Friend to confirm, as I think he has, that it was open to the UK, as with ...; David Lidington | 552 c768 (Link to this contribution)
The point of principle that my hon. Friend makes is certainly right—that during a treaty negotiat...; Chris Bryant | 552 c768 (Link to this contribution)
No, the Minister is wrong. What a member state tries to do, across the piece and over a period of...; Lindsay Hoyle | 552 c768 (Link to this contribution)
Order. I am aware that the hon. Gentleman has only just come in, but we do need shorter intervent...; David Lidington | 552 cc768-9 (Link to this contribution)
I am not going to get drawn into a historical battle about my predecessors’ record in office. I w...; Lindsay Hoyle | 552 c769 (Link to this contribution)
I call Michael Connarty. [Interruption.] Sorry, I mean Emma Reynolds.
2.46 pm; Emma Reynolds | 552 cc769-771 (Link to this contribution)
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker.
I will attempt to be relatively brief, or at least briefer th...; Pete Wishart | 552 c770 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Lady will know that another very important European debate was to take place in Westmins...; Lindsay Hoyle | 552 c770 (Link to this contribution)
Order. That has no relevance to this debate, and hon. Members should know a little better than tr...; Emma Reynolds | 552 cc770-2 (Link to this contribution)
I remind the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) that today’s debate is abo...; David Lidington | 552 c772 (Link to this contribution)
I am sure the hon. Lady would want to join me in paying tribute to the strong personal commitment...; Emma Reynolds | 552 c772 (Link to this contribution)
I welcome that intervention, and the commitment of the Croatian Foreign Minister in that area.; Jacob Rees-Mogg | 552 cc772-3 (Link to this contribution)
May I say what a particular pleasure it is to see that the Prime Minister, in his wisdom, has tab...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 552 c773 (Link to this contribution)
It is the Scottish National party.; Jacob Rees-Mogg | 552 c773 (Link to this contribution)
Not nationalist? I do apologise.
If a country has weak borders, it undermines the free move...; Kelvin Hopkins | 552 c773 (Link to this contribution)
There has been discussion in recent years of the possibility of passport controls at internal bor...; Jacob Rees-Mogg | 552 cc773-5 (Link to this contribution)
I am very reluctant to see controls on the free movement of people within the UK. We ought to hav...; William Cash | 552 c774 (Link to this contribution)
The problem is not only with the application of the principles of democracy, but with the rule of...; Jacob Rees-Mogg | 552 c774 (Link to this contribution)
I agree with my hon. Friend. There is a problem with how the rule of law applies across the EU. H...; Lindsay Hoyle | 552 c776 (Link to this contribution)
Order. I assure the hon. Gentleman that I knew he would come into order. It was only a matter of ...; Jacob Rees-Mogg | 552 c776 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to you, Mr Deputy Speaker. How lucky it is that there is unlimited time for this pa...; Emma Reynolds | 552 c776 (Link to this contribution)
I assure the hon. Gentleman that Labour remains a pro-European party. On Croatian accession and t...; Jacob Rees-Mogg | 552 c776 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to the hon. Lady, who is as flattering and charming as always, but it is good enoug...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 552 c776 (Link to this contribution)
Is the hon. Gentleman telling the House that the Irish have been more adept and a bit more clever...; Jacob Rees-Mogg | 552 cc776-7 (Link to this contribution)
I know it is implausible that the Irish could have been more adept than people living in Na h-Eil...; Graham Stringer | 552 c777 (Link to this contribution)
Is there not a deeper point to the Bill? Although expansion has genuine economic and political be...; Jacob Rees-Mogg | 552 c777 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. He makes a crucial point, which we will discuss further i...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 552 c777 (Link to this contribution)
To clarify for the hon. Gentleman, the point of the 2014 referendum will be to transfer political...; Jacob Rees-Mogg | 552 c777 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Lindsay Hoyle | 552 c777 (Link to this contribution)
Order. May I tell the hon. Gentleman that he does not need to respond to that intervention, becau...; Jacob Rees-Mogg | 552 cc777-8 (Link to this contribution)
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I was merely going to say, “From Westminster to Brussels,” but neve...; Michael Connarty | 552 c778 (Link to this contribution)
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for my temporary promotion to speaking on behalf of the Opposition ...; Barry Sheerman | 552 c778 (Link to this contribution)
As my hon. Friend will know, I have been a strong pro-European all my political life, but I am ve...; Lindsay Hoyle | 552 c778 (Link to this contribution)
Order. The hon. Gentleman has only just walked in and the usual courtesy is to listen to a little...; Michael Connarty | 552 c778 (Link to this contribution)
I understand the emotions that are running among those who have been pro-EU in their —[Interrupti...; Lindsay Hoyle | 552 c778 (Link to this contribution)
Order. The hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman) should know better than to challenge the Ch...; Barry Sheerman | 552 c779 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Lindsay Hoyle | 552 c779 (Link to this contribution)
Order. I have made my ruling.; Barry Sheerman | 552 c779 (Link to this contribution)
On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker.; Lindsay Hoyle | 552 c779 (Link to this contribution)
It had better be a point of order.; Barry Sheerman | 552 c779 (Link to this contribution)
I was on a Statutory Instrument Committee upstairs, and I have every right as a Member of Parliam...; Lindsay Hoyle | 552 c779 (Link to this contribution)
What I have said is that it is discourteous to other Members of this House not to have listened a...; Michael Connarty | 552 c779 (Link to this contribution)
I repeat: I understand that people who have been supportive of the EU process over many years are...; William Cash | 552 c779 (Link to this contribution)
I should remind the hon. Gentleman that the Conservative party voted en masse for a referendum on...; Michael Connarty | 552 c780 (Link to this contribution)
I remember the unity of the Conservative party at that time, although most people have forgotten ...; Mark Pritchard | 552 c780 (Link to this contribution)
On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Just for the record, it was a Conservative amendment that...; Lindsay Hoyle | 552 c780 (Link to this contribution)
As the hon. Gentleman well knows, that is not a point of order. The other thing is that we are ge...; Michael Connarty | 552 c780 (Link to this contribution)
The point has been made that there should be a wider mandate in deciding whether the treaty shoul...; Angus Robertson | 552 c780 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?; Michael Connarty | 552 c780 (Link to this contribution)
I certainly will, as I named the hon. Gentleman.; Angus Robertson | 552 c780 (Link to this contribution)
If the hon. Gentleman believes that Ireland does not have clout because it is a small country, ca...; Michael Connarty | 552 cc780-5 (Link to this contribution)
The simple point is that it is because unanimity is required for an accession treaty. Clearly the...; William Cash | 552 c785 (Link to this contribution)
I very much endorse the concluding remarks of the hon. Member for Linlithgow and East Falkirk (Mi...; Angus Robertson | 552 cc785-8 (Link to this contribution)
It is always a pleasure to follow the hon. Members for Stone (Mr Cash) and for Linlithgow and Eas...; Michael Connarty | 552 c788 (Link to this contribution)
Like me, the hon. Gentleman is a great enthusiast for countries that wish to take on the mantle o...; Angus Robertson | 552 cc788-9 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman makes a good point but this is not simply about the citizens of Croatia. It is...; Michael Connarty | 552 c789 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Angus Robertson | 552 c789 (Link to this contribution)
I shall make my point, then give the hon. Gentleman an opportunity to respond. I listened with gr...; Lindsay Hoyle | 552 c789 (Link to this contribution)
Order. The hon. Gentleman knows as well as I do that passing reference is one thing, but we will ...; Angus Robertson | 552 c789 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful, Mr Deputy Speaker. [Interruption.] If I can respond to Mr Deputy Speaker and say t...; Wayne David | 552 c790 (Link to this contribution)
Has the hon. Gentleman received the legal advice that the Scottish First Minister has clearly not...; Angus Robertson | 552 c790 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Wayne David | 552 c790 (Link to this contribution)
Was the hon. Gentleman listening to what I said?; Angus Robertson | 552 c790 (Link to this contribution)
I have. I am delighted—; Lindsay Hoyle | 552 c790 (Link to this contribution)
Order. Two Members cannot be on their feet at the same time. We will end up with three of us on o...; Angus Robertson | 552 c790 (Link to this contribution)
If the intervention by the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Wayne David) is in order, Mr Deputy Speake...; Michael Connarty | 552 c790 (Link to this contribution)
Having read the opinion—it has been given in writing, I think, to the Select Committee on Foreign...; Lindsay Hoyle | 552 c790 (Link to this contribution)
Order. I know that Mr Robertson wants to get back on to the subject, and that no hon. Member want...; Angus Robertson | 552 c790 (Link to this contribution)
You are very kind, Mr Deputy Speaker. I am disappointed that the hon. Members for Linlithgow and ...; Lindsay Hoyle | 552 c790 (Link to this contribution)
Order. I have been very generous, but I am not going to be as generous now. I am sure that the ho...; Angus Robertson | 552 cc790-1 (Link to this contribution)
I shall conclude, Mr Deputy Speaker, by saying that I think that a nation of nearly 5 million— Cr...; Gemma Doyle | 552 c791 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Angus Robertson | 552 c791 (Link to this contribution)
This is my peroration. The protocol and the assurances relating to tax-varying powers are welcome...; William Bain | 552 cc791-3 (Link to this contribution)
It is always a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson). I am sure that thr...; Lindsay Hoyle | 552 c792 (Link to this contribution)
Order. We are drifting. I have pulled up other Members for doing the same. We need to stick to th...; William Bain | 552 cc792-4 (Link to this contribution)
It does not follow from the EU’s deliberations with Croatia that Croatia’s offering another state...; Angus Robertson | 552 c794 (Link to this contribution)
On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Would I be right in remembering your ruling to Members of...; Lindsay Hoyle | 552 c794 (Link to this contribution)
That is not a point of order, but the hon. Gentleman is absolutely correct. I have mentioned to M...; William Bain | 552 cc794-5 (Link to this contribution)
Indeed, that demonstrates Croatia’s wise decision to join the EU proper rather than seeking membe...; Gemma Doyle | 552 cc795-6 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute briefly to the debate—possibly more briefly than ...; Lindsay Hoyle | 552 c796 (Link to this contribution)
Order. As I have made clear, we do not want to drift. I know that the hon. Lady is making compari...; Gemma Doyle | 552 cc796-7 (Link to this contribution)
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker.
A new country needs to establish itself and the appropriate i...; Wayne David | 552 cc797-8 (Link to this contribution)
My comments will be brief and I assure you, Mr Deputy Speaker, that I will not mention Scotland.<...; Charles Kennedy | 552 cc798-9 (Link to this contribution)
First, I apologise to Members on both Front Benches for arriving late to this debate; I was somew...; William Bain | 552 c800 (Link to this contribution)
It is Glasgow North East.; Charles Kennedy | 552 cc800-1 (Link to this contribution)
I was near enough. I have represented constituencies such as Ross, Skye and Inverness West, or Ro...; Emma Reynolds | 552 c801 (Link to this contribution)
With the leave of the House, Mr Deputy Speaker, I want to reflect briefly on our wide-ranging deb...; David Lidington | 552 cc801-2 (Link to this contribution)
With the leave of the House, Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to reply briefly to some of the poin...; Lord Dodds of Duncairn | 552 c802 (Link to this contribution)
Will the Minister give way?; David Lidington | 552 cc802-4 (Link to this contribution)
The right hon. Gentleman will forgive me; I think the House would want me to make progress.
Subjects: EU accession European Union Republic of Ireland Croatia Treaty of Lisbon
Legislation: European Union (Croatian Accession and Irish Protocol) Bill 2012-13
Link: View this Parliamentary proceeding on www.publications.parliament.uk

European Union (Croatian Accession and Irish Protocol) Bill

Secondary information

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