Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 16 May 2018
European Union (Withdrawal) Bill
"My Lords, I support the amendment moved by the noble Lord, Lord Krebs. I say to the noble Lord, Lord Framlingham, that the irreparable damage that may be done is damage to our environment and our health if we lose the safeguards and protections that we have for our environment...."Lord Smith of Finsbury - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 16 May 2018
European Union (Withdrawal) Bill
"No, I will not. I am sorry. The crucial part of the amendment is subsection (4), which talks about,
“an independent body with the purpose of ensuring compliance with environmental law by public authorities”.
When I was chairman of the Environment Agency, action was taken on some of the major …..."Lord Smith of Finsbury - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 23 Apr 2018
European Union (Withdrawal) Bill
"My Lords, I rise very briefly to give strong support to this amendment and assert the need for an independent environmental institution. As the noble Lord, Lord Deben, said, this is entirely in accord with what Ministers have said they want. However, it is really important that, when the actions …..."Lord Smith of Finsbury - View Speech
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Written Question
Thursday 9th November 2017
Asked by:
Lord Smith of Finsbury (Labour - Life peer)
Question
to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 23 October (HL2086) concerning constitutional advice on the possible revocation of the Article 50 notice, whether they will now answer the question asked.
Answered by Lord Callanan
- Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on legal advice that may or may not have been received. A clear majority of the electorate voted to leave the EU and we will respect the will of the British people. As a matter of firm policy, our notification will not be withdrawn, for the simple reason that people voted to leave. And we are determined to see through that instruction.
Written Question
Monday 23rd October 2017
Asked by:
Lord Smith of Finsbury (Labour - Life peer)
Question
to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the latest constitutional advice they have (1) sought, and (2) received, as to whether the Article 50 application to leave the EU can be revoked before the process is complete.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
A clear majority of the electorate voted to leave the EU and we will respect the will of the British people. This was reinforced by the fact that in the last general election over eighty percent voted for parties committed to respecting the outcome of the referendum. There can be no attempts to remain inside the EU and no attempt to rejoin it. There is no precedent for a country triggering Article 50, let alone seeking to reverse such a decision. As a matter of firm policy, our notification will not be withdrawn for the simple reason that people voted to leave. And we are determined to see through that instruction.
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 27 Feb 2017
European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill
"In the light of what the noble Lord has just said, does he share my dismay that the leaders of the Official Opposition appear to have set their face against supporting this amendment? At the heart of the amendment is surely an instruction to the Government to put membership of …..."Lord Smith of Finsbury - View Speech
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