Informal European Council

Viscount Waverley Excerpts

Monday 6th February 2017 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

My noble friend is right. The Article 50 Bill is indeed a straightforward Bill: it is not about whether the UK should leave the European Union—that decision has been made—but about triggering Article 50.

[Viscount Waverley (CB)]

My Lords, I have never understood why Gibraltarians would not wish to have feet in both camps, although that is clearly a matter for them. The Prime Minister was absolutely right to draw attention to the economic well-being of LEDCs—less economically developed countries. Have the Government decided which competent UK authority will be responsible for preferential access negotiations post Brexit?

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

I am afraid that I do not know the answer to that question and will have to write to the noble Viscount.