Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty's Government why, in its sectoral impact assessments for leaving the EU, the Department for Exiting the EU has not undertaken an impact assessment of the natural environment; and whether it intends to do so.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As Parliamentary Under Secretary Robin Walker said in his opening remarks to the House on 1st November, the Government has not produced a series of sectoral impact assessments. The Government has produced a wide mix of qualitative and quantitative analysis, contained in a range of documents developed at different times since the referendum. It is constantly evolving and being updated based on our discussions with industry and our negotiations with the EU, but it is not, and nor has it ever been, a series of impact assessments examining the quantitative impact of Brexit on these sectors. The Secretary of State has said that he will provide sector analysis to the Exiting the European Union Committee in an informative and accessible way as soon as is possible.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish a draft of the Great Repeal Bill and associated legislation during the Brexit negotiation process, to enable all interested parties to determine whether the UK will maintain levels of environmental protection.
Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley
There are no plans to publish a draft Bill. The 'Legislating for the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union' White Paper sets out the detail of our approach to the Great Repeal Bill and how the domestic legal system will work once we have left the EU.
The White Paper makes clear that this Government remains committed to being the first generation to leave the natural environment in a better state than that in which we found it.
The UK will continue to be a leader on international environmental co-operation, as demonstrated by the Prime Minister ratifying the Paris Commitment on Climate Change.
The Great Repeal Bill will provide certainty and stability by ensuring that the body of existing EU law, including environmental law, continues to be UK law. Any future changes in the law will be for Parliament to decide.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to remain part of the European Union energy union following Brexit.
Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley
The Government is carefully considering all aspects of our future relationship with the European Union, including the energy acquis. We want to achieve the best possible outcome for the UK.