Brexit: Reports to Parliament

Lord Watts Excerpts

Monday 8th January 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord Callanan]

They are certainly getting full details from us. The noble Lord makes a point that I am not sure I necessarily agree with. All our dealings with our interlocutors in the European Commission have been courteous and civil.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

My Lords, it has been widely reported that the Prime Minister is going to appoint someone as a “no deal” Brexit Minister. Will that person have the same responsibility to report back to both Houses as other Ministers?

[Lord Callanan]

My Lords, I am always suspicious of a question that starts off, “It has been widely reported”. The noble Lord will know that ministerial appointments are a matter for the Prime Minister; I am sure he will be the first to know if she decides to make such an appointment.

Brexit: Release of Impact Assessments

Lord Watts Excerpts

Tuesday 28th November 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Callanan]

I am not privy to the details of those Bills, which are being done by different departments, but I would expect that they will publish impact assessments at the time.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

My Lords, can the Minister have another go at answering the question put to him about the customs union? Does the report indicate whether it would be a good or bad thing for us to stay in or leave the customs union?

[Lord Callanan]

My Lords, I might be repeating myself but this is a series of sectoral analyses, analysing individual sectors of the economy in great detail. They show what things are going on in their sectors, what stakeholders have said to us and other key factors facing us. As I have said, it is the policy of the Government that we will leave the single market and the customs union, because that is in the best interests of satisfying the result of the referendum.

EU Exit Negotiations

Lord Watts Excerpts

Monday 13th November 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Callanan]

We have made good progress on a number of issues. There are many areas of agreement; for instance, on proposals on citizens’ rights—I could read them all out if my noble friend wanted to stay for 20 minutes afterwards.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

My Lords, can the Minister explain the benefits of putting the date in the Bill, given that many noble Lords have raised the problems that may arise?

[Lord Callanan]

The Government are responding to many representations made from all sides in the other place—many amendments have been submitted. We have said that we will listen to opinion and we are doing precisely that.

Brexit: Negotiations

Lord Watts Excerpts

Wednesday 13th September 2017 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Anelay of St Johns]

My Lords, there are, of course, several streams through which funds available for international development are derived. Although the Department for International Development holds the ring in that regard, clearly this goes through many different portals. The noble Lord is right to point to the importance of the work being done on international development through the EU. We have given our commitment and made it clear that we are not going to devalue that. I am afraid it is, as ever, a matter for negotiations how we are able to fulfil that commitment, not only while we continue to be a member of the European Union but as we leave.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

My Lords, does the Minister believe it would be a good idea for the Select Committee to invite the Commission to brief it so that at least it can find out what is going on in the negotiations?

Brexit: Article 50

Lord Watts Excerpts

Thursday 2nd February 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

I happen to entirely agree with my noble friend on this point. As I have said before, the people have spoken and it is now for us to deliver on the instruction they have given us.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

My Lords, the Commission has said that it will consult the European Parliament on an ongoing basis when the Government finally start to negotiate with Europe over this matter. Will the British Government do the same with our Parliament?

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

As my right honourable friend the Secretary of State has made clear, and I have repeated many times, it would be completely unacceptable for the European Parliament to get more information than this House and the other place. That is an intention and a commitment that we absolutely intend to hold to.

A New Partnership with the EU

Lord Watts Excerpts

Tuesday 17th January 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

No.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

My Lords, during the referendum campaign the Prime Minister said that it would be a disaster if we left the single market, because the British people would be poorer as a result. Can the Minister explain why she has changed her mind?

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

My Lords, it is since people voted to leave the European Union in the referendum on 23 June. The consequences of that vote and the options open have therefore been analysed and assessed, and the Prime Minister has set out the plan that we have heard today.

Brexit: European Union Citizenship

Lord Watts Excerpts

Tuesday 13th December 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

The noble Viscount puts his finger on another of the myriad issues that my department and others are thinking about.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

Will the Minister explain why the Government were happy to give a referendum to the British people when they did not know what the outcome of the negotiations would be, yet the Minister feels it would be inappropriate for them to have a vote when they do know the implications?

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

My Lords, we believe that we should honour the result of the referendum. Full stop. Period.