Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement made by Baroness Goldie on 17 October (HL Deb, col 511), (1) how many times the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU has spoken to Welsh government ministers since the 2017 General Election; (2) which ministers were spoken to; (3) when such discussions took place; (4) whether agendas or minutes for such discussions were produced; and (5) whether, in such meetings, consideration was given to raising issues which were subsequently discussed in the October meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee on EU negotiations.

The Government has been engaging with the devolved administrations throughout the negotiation process. Ministers from the Department for Exiting the European Union have held discussions on six separate occasions with the Welsh government since the election to discuss the negotiations with the European Union and preparations for the UK’s future outside of the EU.

The Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Negotiations, chaired by the First Secretary of State, was the latest opportunity for the devolved administrations to contribute to this process. Important progress was made. The Committee discussed priorities for the future relationship with the EU and agreed the principles that will underpin common UK frameworks.