Constitution, Democracy and Rights Commission: Civil Society

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock Excerpts

Tuesday 14th January 2020 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, I wish that I could help the noble Lord, but it is simply too soon for me to be able to comment on that. As we heard in the debate in your Lordships’ House last Wednesday, the subject matter under the umbrella heading of the constitution is potentially very broad, so decisions are needed on exactly how broad the commission’s remit should sensibly be.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, since the remit is still unsure and has not yet been decided, will the Minister ask for the consideration of a federal constitution for the United Kingdom to be included in the remit, before we see the breakup and the removal of Scotland and Northern Ireland, which is imminent unless we have some kind of federal constitution?

[Earl Howe]

I will make sure that the noble Lord’s point is duly noted.