Tuesday Volume 571 3 December 2013 No. 87 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Tuesday 3 December 2013 £5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2013 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 759 3 DECEMBER 2013 760 of the European Parliament, from all political families, House of Commons who supported the initiative that our colleague, Ashley Fox, led and co-ordinated. Tuesday 3 December 2013 Miss McIntosh: The decision on a single seat was taken under a Conservative Government and in relation The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock to an EU treaty, so presumably it will have to be amended by an EU treaty. Which other member states PRAYERS support us, and should we not wait until the Chamber is ready to host the European Parliament again in full session in Brussels before proceeding? [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Mr Lidington: What was striking about the debate and the vote a few days ago was that the clearly expressed will of a decisive majority of Members of the European BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS Parliament was that there should be a single seat, and it seems to me that their voice should be heard clearly. HUMBER BRIDGE BILL The Parliament has also said that it wishes to initiate Motion made, That the Lords amendments be now proposals for treaty change at a future opportunity to considered. try to give effect to the change it is now recommending. Hon. Members: Object. Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): Given that that travelling circus costs ¤180 million a year, or ¤1 billion Lords amendments to be considered on Tuesday over the course of the EU’s seven-year budget, which is 10 December. a staggering figure, does the Minister agree that those involved in the single seat campaign in the European Parliament, including Members from my party, deserve Oral Answers to Questions to be commended for putting an end to that kind of waste? Mr Lidington: I am happy to repeat those FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE commendations. Of course, there is not only financial waste; an unnecessary amount of carbon is emitted as the Members, their staff and the accompanying luggage The Secretary of State was asked— are transported from one place to another. European Parliament Trade and Investment (Africa) 1. Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con): What assessment he has made of the recent decision by the 2. Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley) (Ind): What recent European Parliament to meet in a single location. steps his Department has taken to promote trade and [901368] investment opportunities for British firms operating in Africa. [901369] 14. Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): What assessment he has made of the recent decision by The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign the European Parliament to meet in a single location. and Commonwealth Affairs (Mark Simmonds): Boosting [901381] trade and investment is one of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s major priorities in Africa. We The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington): We have strengthened commercial teams throughout the have been clear that there should be a single seat for the region. Last month I launched high-level prosperity European Parliament. The current arrangements are partnerships with Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, indefensible, ludicrously expensive, impractical and one Mozambique and Tanzania. That combines expertise of the most striking illustrations of EU waste. from the Department for International Development, UK Trade & Investment, the FCO and the private Chris Heaton-Harris: If there is one thing that unifies sector to create a paradigm shift in the UK’s trade this House more than any other, it is that the European relationship with those five countries. Parliament’s commute between Brussels and Strasbourg once a month, at a massive cost of over £10 million a Mr Evans: Does the Minister agree that with growth time, is a waste of money. Is he not surprised, therefore, rates of up to 8%, a population of 1 billion and a that one British political party abstained in the combined GDP of around $2 trillion, and with sub-Saharan parliamentary vote and failed to protect the British Africa being the second-fastest growing region in the interest and the taxpayer interest—the UK Independence world, trade is an effective alternative to aid and strengthens party? diplomatic ties? Mr Lidington: I am afraid that I am not surprised, Mark Simmonds: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. because that party’s representatives are often absent in Six of the world’s top-10 fastest growing economies are key votes in the European Parliament when significant in sub-Saharan Africa. Certainly, among the main focuses British interests are at stake. I congratulate those Members of African Governments are economic development 761 Oral Answers3 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 762 and growth, wealth and job creation. They are becoming between Nigeria and the UK. Will the Minister update more determined to stimulate economic growth as a us on how that is progressing, particularly in certain major focus in alleviating poverty. We need to ensure business sectors? that, in addition to building trade and investment co-operation we assist in building Government capacity Mark Simmonds: The hon. Lady is absolutely right and ensure that UK businesses are aware of the significant that the Prime Minister and President Jonathan stipulated opportunities that exist in sub-Saharan Africa. that trade needs to increase significantly by 2015. We are on track to meet those targets, not just in the Mr Frank Roy (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): obvious oil and gas and extractive sectors but across a Obtaining investment is vital to Africa. What actions is whole range of economic sectors, particularly as in the Department taking to encourage trade and investment southern Nigeria the levels of affluence mean that the specifically in northern Nigeria, which seems to be left Nigerian middle class is growing. That is creating huge out on many occasions? opportunities for businesses in the consumer and creative arts sectors, and that is something that our missions are Mark Simmonds: The hon. Gentleman will be well supporting. aware of the challenges that are being faced in northern Nigeria. I was there earlier in the year and saw some of the excellent work that is being done in trying to alleviate Gibraltar some of the conflicts and to encourage co-operation between the various religious groups. I also saw some of 3. Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): What the work that the Department for International recent reports he has received on the situation in Development is doing to build capacity in terms of Gibraltar. [901370] providing services and trying create the security and stability that is the precursor to economic investment The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington): We and development. remain very concerned by delays at Gibraltar’s border with Spain and are pressing the Spanish authorities to George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): I congratulate act on the European Commission’s recommendations the Minister on the work that the Government are to them. We continue to work closely with the Government doing, particularly through the FCO working with UKTI of Gibraltar to uphold the sovereignty of the United in promoting trade around the world. Does he agree Kingdom and the rights of the people of Gibraltar, that Kenya and east Africa is a particularly important including by challenging unlawful Spanish incursions market for us where we may be able better to integrate into British Gibraltar territorial waters. our DFID aid work and our UKTI and FCO trade work? I was there this summer, and have been there in Jason McCartney: Having spent a short period of my recent years, and one sees that Kenya is on the front line Royal Air Force service in Gibraltar, I am aware of the of the global race, with corruption and with progressive importance of having a workable border crossing. Will British capitalism based in Nairobi. my right hon. Friend urge the Commission to keep its promise to make it easier for traffic to cross the Gibraltar Mark Simmonds: My hon. Friend is absolutely right border and follow up this matter with Spain so that the that Kenya is a major trading partner for the United people of Gibraltar can enjoy the EU rights that Spain Kingdom. Significant UK businesses are already investing owes them? in Kenya. Only this morning I spoke to open the UKTI Kenya conference at Mansion House in the City of Mr Lidington: I completely agree with my hon. Friend. London, which was extremely well attended. In addition We are indeed continuing to press the Spanish authorities to the obvious focus on the financial services sector, we to implement what the Commission has recommended need to focus on a whole range of areas and economic they do, including adding to the number of traffic lanes sectors where the UK has particular expertise, such as so that cars can get through more smoothly and looking the automotive industries. at how to risk-profile travellers crossing the border so Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): Usually diplomatic that those who may be smugglers or other criminals can networks are used to promote trade and export by be properly identified and ordinary citizens not celebrating national days, but a survey over the weekend inconvenienced. showed that of 20 UK diplomatic and consular postings, not a single one was doing anything to celebrate St Andrew’s Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): May day. Why was that? I urge the Minister to use all his influence to temper the language that is being used in this dispute? There Mark Simmonds: I am sure that the hon.