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Written Question
Overseas Trade: Republic of Ireland
Monday 24th April 2017

Asked by: Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to ensure that the principles of (1) non-discrimination, and (2) free movement of goods and services, apply to the exercise of powers relating to the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, after the UK has left the EU, equivalent to those principles which are currently enshrined in EU law; and if so, how.

Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley

We are committed to negotiating an Exit deal that works for the whole of the UK. We want to work with the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to find a practical solution that keeps the border as seamless and frictionless as possible, recognising the unique economic, social and political context of the land border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.

We will work closely together with the Irish Government to ensure that, as the UK leaves the EU, we find shared solutions to the challenges and maximise the opportunities for both the UK and Ireland.



Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 07 Mar 2017
European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill

"I am grateful to the noble Lord for giving way and wish him a happy birthday. Would I be right in thinking that the difference between what he is advocating and what some other noble Lords are advocating is the difference between parliamentary authority and the royal prerogative? Is he …..."
Lord Lester of Herne Hill - View Speech

View all Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill

Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 07 Mar 2017
European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill

"My Lords—..."
Lord Lester of Herne Hill - View Speech

View all Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill

Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 07 Mar 2017
European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill

"I am grateful. Does the noble Lord accept that at this stage the key question before the House is: who is to be master? Is it Ministers or Parliament?..."
Lord Lester of Herne Hill - View Speech

View all Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill

Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 07 Mar 2017
European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill

"As I understand the noble and learned Lord’s speech, he is saying that, provided the primacy of the House of Commons is made clear, he would support the amendment. Is that right?..."
Lord Lester of Herne Hill - View Speech

View all Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill

Written Question
EU Law
Thursday 2nd March 2017

Asked by: Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they intend to publish the White Paper on the Great Repeal Bill.

Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley

I refer the noble Lord to the answer given on 20 February 2017 to Question HL5308.

The Government will bring forward a White Paper on the Great Repeal Bill in advance of introduction of the Great Repeal Bill in the next session. It will set out our approach to giving effect to withdrawal on the domestic statute book.



Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 27 Feb 2017
European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill

"My Lords, when the Minister replies to this debate he has a choice. He can focus on the amendment and explain why it is unnecessary—which he can probably do fairly easily. If he does that, but does no more than that, the Government will be losing a very important opportunity, …..."
Lord Lester of Herne Hill - View Speech

View all Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill

Written Question
EU Law
Tuesday 21st February 2017

Asked by: Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks in the White Paper <i>The United Kingdom's exit from and new partnership with the European Union</i>, how the Great Repeal Bill will ensure that legislatures and Courts in the UK will be the final decision-makers in respect of UK cases.

Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley

The Government will bring forward legislation in the next session that, when enacted, will repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and ensure a functioning statute book on the day we leave the EU. This ‘Great Repeal Bill’ will end the authority of EU law and return power to the UK.

The Prime Minister has been clear that we will take back control of our laws and bring an end to the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union in the UK.

O​ur laws will be made in Westminster, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast and those laws will be interpreted by judges not in Luxembourg but in courts across this country.


Written Question
European Court of Justice
Monday 20th February 2017

Asked by: Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to seek to protect the rights of audience in the European Court of Justice for members of the UK legal professions following the UK's exit from the EU.

Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley

The Government will seek a new and ambitious Free Trade Agreement to ensure the UK has the greatest possible tariff- and barrier-free trade with the EU, including trade in legal services. The arrangements that will apply following the UK's exit are subject to the wider negotiations on our future relationship with the EU.


Written Question
EU Law
Monday 20th February 2017

Asked by: Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they plan to publish a White Paper on the Great Repeal Bill.

Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley

The Government will bring forward a White Paper on the Great Repeal Bill in advance of introduction of the Great Repeal Bill in the next session. It will set out our approach to giving effect to withdrawal on the domestic statute book.