Results 1-20 of 651 for (in the 'Commons debates' OR in the 'Westminster Hall debates' OR in the 'Lords debates' OR in the 'Northern Ireland Assembly debates') speaker:Roger Berry

[Mr.Greg Pope in the Chair] — Arms Export Controls (5 Nov 2009)

Roger Berry: I thank the Minister for his responses, and we look forward to the further written ones. May I say two more things? First, I am very grateful that the Minister will consider the non-re-export clause. He offered a response by the end of the year. I do not want to discourage him from doing that, but I am sure the Committee would think that the right result is better than the speed of the...

[Mr.Greg Pope in the Chair] — Arms Export Controls (5 Nov 2009)

Roger Berry: Will the Minister confirm, or otherwise, that one proposal was submitted by both the NGOs and the defence manufacturers?

[Mr.Greg Pope in the Chair] — Arms Export Controls (5 Nov 2009)

Roger Berry: An agreed proposal, that is, from the NGOs and the defence manufacturers?

[Mr.Greg Pope in the Chair] — Arms Export Controls (5 Nov 2009)

Roger Berry: Does the Minister not agree that there is a simple sanction? If there is an export to a Polish company, part of the licence is a non-re-export condition saying, "You've got this kit. You will not re-export to an EU or UN embargo destination and, if you do, we'll license no further exports to you in future." Is that not clear?

[Mr.Greg Pope in the Chair] — Arms Export Controls (5 Nov 2009)

Roger Berry: I accept that being able to take legal action is the first-best solution, but would the Government not be left with a second-best solution, which is that, if it is clearly understood that if the Polish company that is getting the arms export re-exports to an embargoed destination, no further licences would in future would be granted by the UK where that company is the initial end user? Is...

[Mr.Greg Pope in the Chair] — Arms Export Controls (5 Nov 2009)

Roger Berry: If it were a condition of every licence for export from the UK that the initial end user could not re-export to an embargoed destination, and if the UK found out subsequently that there had been re-export to an embargoed destination, surely it could take the appropriate action. Legal action would be preferable, but the other action would simply be that the re-exporter would not get an arms...

[Mr.Greg Pope in the Chair] — Arms Export Controls (5 Nov 2009)

Roger Berry: Does the Minister agree that administratively it is not a big problem to insert such a non-re-export clause, and that it might deter people from behaving in a way that we do not want? What on earth is the disadvantage of simply inserting a non-re-export clause as normal procedure?

[Mr.Greg Pope in the Chair] — Arms Export Controls (5 Nov 2009)

Roger Berry: I know that officials in the relevant Departments are scrupulous about the efforts that they make in assessing as much information as they can get before a licensing decision is made or recommended. There is no question about that and I am sure that advice from embassies and high commissions is part of it. However, does the Minister not foresee any circumstances in which it would be useful to...

[Mr.Greg Pope in the Chair] — Arms Export Controls (5 Nov 2009)

Roger Berry: It is a pleasure again to introduce a debate on our Committees' report on arms export controls, the Government's response, and related matters, but first, may I say how pleased I am to see you in the Chair, Mr. Pope? I am trying to think of a good reason why you, and not someone else, are in the Chair, but I am pleased to see you. I do not know whether you chose 5 November as the date for...

[Mr.Greg Pope in the Chair] — Arms Export Controls (5 Nov 2009)

Roger Berry: I do not know whether there is a register of Ukrainian arms exporters in Ukraine. All I know is that we were given a list of names of UK brokers who had been licensed to export from Ukraine. We were seeking reassurance. There was no criticism of Ukrainian foreign policy at all; that is a matter for Ukraine. We were seeking assurance that if those UK brokers were engaged in arms deals, they...

[Mr.Greg Pope in the Chair] — Arms Export Controls (5 Nov 2009)

Roger Berry: I emphasise that our purpose was not to examine Ukraine's policy in relation to its domestic matters. Our concern was to discuss parliamentary scrutiny with fellow parliamentarians. However, in the case that I have identified, in which we knew—were advised—that UK brokers were licensed to export arms from Ukraine, our concern was to be reassured that those people were operating...

[Mr.Greg Pope in the Chair] — Arms Export Controls (5 Nov 2009)

Roger Berry: The case of Guinea provides a powerful argument for an international arms trade treaty rather than its being a re-export issue. The press report alleges that one country exported to Guinea when it was under a regional arms embargo. A regional embargo on arms exports to Guinea was imposed in the last week or so, so that matter seems to provide the case for an international arms trade treaty...

[Mr.Greg Pope in the Chair] — Arms Export Controls (5 Nov 2009)

Roger Berry: I am grateful to the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee for his comments. Concern has been expressed—particularly by the non-governmental organisations—about the fact that decisions at the UN diplomatic conference in 2012 are to be taken on the basis of consensus. The concerns arise from the fact that the word consensus could be interpreted to mean the lowest common...

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (13 May 2009) has video

Roger Berry: Many organisations support the Equality Bill: Age Concern, Carers UK and all the disability organisations. Is my right hon. Friend aware that, when opposing the Bill on Monday, the Opposition could cite one organisation on their side: the Campaign Against Political Correctness? Will he assure the House that he will continue to support the views of Age Concern, Carers UK and the disability...

Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions: Equality Bill (11 May 2009)

Roger Berry: How would blocking the Bill by voting for the Opposition amendment solve the problem?

Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions: Equality Bill (11 May 2009)

Roger Berry: Tell me now!

Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions: Equality Bill (11 May 2009)

Roger Berry: It is a pleasure to speak in this debate. I welcome the Bill most warmly, and I congratulate my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Women and Equality, and her colleagues, on producing this measure after what have clearly been Herculean efforts. Bringing together a lot of the existing equality legislation, with harmonisation, in part, into a comprehensible whole is clearly...

Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions: Equality Bill (11 May 2009)

Roger Berry: I looked carefully for advice from the CBI on how I should vote today, as I always do. I listen to everyone. I cannot find in the CBI's submission any suggestion that I should vote for a motion to decline agreement on Second Reading. I see the CBI welcoming the "new clarity in discrimination legislation". If the CBI welcomes something, I get the impression that it is saying I should support...

Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions: Equality Bill (11 May 2009)

Roger Berry: I am so grateful for that most welcome intervention. The only organisation that any Member in the House has been able to put forward as opposing the Bill is the Campaign Against Political Correctness. [Interruption.] Age Concern supports it, but forget Age Concern—listen to the Campaign Against Political Correctness; I very much hope that the hon. Gentleman will inform his...

Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions: Equality Bill (11 May 2009)

Roger Berry: I am well aware that there are Members in all parts of the House, including the hon. Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell) and one or two others who I hope will speak soon, who support improvements in equality legislation. I must, however, comment on the one or two Members who, from a sedentary position, in response to the comment from the Minister for Women and Equality that it was the Labour...