Speeches by Thomas-Symonds.

“I was talking more broadly about the work that I have been doing, which is very broad, across youth experience, SPS agreement, emissions trading system linkage, and Erasmus+, which had very wide support. Since you have raised the issue of fishing, Scottish salmon obviously took a different view when we made that agreem…”

“That is a very good question. When I originally took on this role in shadow form in Opposition, in the late summer—I think it was September—2023, there was a debate about where the role should lie, because there is an argument that it could be located in the Foreign Office or in other Government Departments. The real a…”

“It is certainly the case that something that is embedded is more difficult to change subsequently.”

“I understand precisely the point, Chair. I would just make this observation: it is always going to be the case that one Parliament cannot bind a future Parliament. That said, I always think that the test—certainly the historic test—of whether policies stick and make a difference is whether a Government of a different c…”

“I am not sure how different they are on the EU, in terms of the work that I am doing. There is obviously a difference of view, to say the least. The Scottish Government have a very different view of the future of the United Kingdom to my view or yours, let alone their view of the EU. In terms of the work that I have be…”

“You are absolutely right to identify the issue of trust in politics. I do not think we disagree about that. I do not think we disagree either on the importance of transparency, generally speaking. But I would still argue, and I think this came out in one of the answers I gave to Markus earlier, that in the national int…”

“There we are. While you are quite right, Peter, to push us—whether with regard to lobbying or some of the other issues about responding to you, which we are more than happy to do—I do not think that should move the focus away from the changes we have made. To pick up on the Ethics and Integrity Commission, once we get …”

“The specifics are obviously for the usual channels, but, frankly, I welcome debate and significant scrutiny of this Bill.”

“Absolutely. I am not ruling it out. If it was on the basis of terms that I felt were in the national interest and were value for money, then absolutely.”

“To be clear, it is not anything inappropriate. We are obviously moving forward on a variety of policy streams here in different ways. I will just take the ethics and integrity point at the top. The change to allow the independent adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, to initiate his own investigations is a step that this Prime M…”

“The answer to that is absolutely, in terms of having respect for and working with the devolved Administrations. One issue is that obviously UK foreign policy is reserved, while some of the implementation, particularly in SPS, is devolved. I chair an appropriate interministerial group that involves representatives from …”

“There is a wider debate, I guess, about what should be included. Again, I am more than happy to look at this as part of the review. As for ministerial meetings, I think that quarterly is as appropriate as anything else. It is a period that is not unduly onerous in terms of the work that officials have to do, but I thin…”

“Okay. That is perfectly reasonable. We can write back to the Chair on that.”

“I understand that there is a review taking place. We have a group in the Cabinet Office to look at this, among many other things. Again, as I say, it is something I am very open to ideas on. To be absolutely frank with you, Peter, the focus of the first part of the Government’s life has been on those changes to the Min…”

“I want to answer that question. Can we vote and then come back?”

“First of all, before I come to the specific issue of lobbying, can I refer to some of the more general points in the ethics and integrity sphere? I am very proud to have created the Ethics and Integrity Commission, which was a manifesto commitment and was brought in back in October. I am also proud that the Prime Minis…”

“Precisely what it looks like will obviously be part of the negotiations going forward. Broadly speaking, I expect it to be at official level and to look at what exactly is coming down the track and at our particular arrangements. While we are discussing the role for Parliament and the arbitration panel, I should say th…”

“More generally, this is ultimately a matter for the Prime Minister, so I will tread carefully, but I do think that the broad point that you are making is an important one. Indeed, when I was answering Charlotte’s questions, I was making it clear that I was making some reference to party lists, but of course I am very c…”

“I am looking at ways in which we might be able to speed up decision making across Government—I am sure we will come back to this at a future Committee meeting, Chair. Obviously, my role is unique in Government because I am the lead negotiator, so I am not sure you could transfer my model directly to other Departments. …”

“If I am correct, the leader of the Cross Benchers, Lord Kinnoull, has recently become a life peer.”