Brexit: Discussions with the European Union

Debate between Baroness Tonge and Lord Callanan

Thursday 20th June 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Callanan]

I am fascinated by the degree to which the Opposition want to comment on Conservative leadership elections—I note that nobody is commenting on the Liberal Democrat leadership election at the moment. I and other ministerial colleagues have had discussions with a number of the candidates. We have had some fascinating discourse on the possible options for the new Prime Minister to take forward.

[Baroness Tonge (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, in the absence of any progress on a deal with the European Union and, concurrently, of any progress on the re-formation of a Government for Northern Ireland, when will we put the women of Northern Ireland out of their misery and allow our abortion laws to apply there ?

[Lord Callanan]

As the noble Baroness will be well aware, that is really not a policy responsibility of my department, so I will pass on that one.