Brexit: Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock Excerpts

Thursday 8th September 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Myners (CB)]

My Lords—

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)]

My Lords—

[Noble Lords]

Cross Bench!

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock]

He used to be one of us.

[Lord Myners]

The noble Lord is renowned for his courtesy and therefore I could anticipate his response.

Does the Minister believe that it is possible for us to leave the European Union without a parliamentary vote?

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

My Lords, as I said, we are determined to follow the constitutional obligations that apply. As my right honourable friend the Secretary of State said on Monday, the aspects of the European Communities Act 1972 that are required to be repealed and the aspects of the acquis communautaire that need to be carried into British law are important joint issues that have to be decided. Once we have got to the point of deciding what we need to do in that regard, we will come back to the House at the first possible opportunity.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock]

My Lords, further to the question of the noble Lord, Lord Forsyth, does the Minister agree that if one is going on a journey it is important to know the destination? Will he pluck up his courage and say to the Prime Minister that her accountability to Parliament should not be described as a running commentary?

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

That is not how my right honourable friend’s comment should be perceived. Brexit means leaving the European Union, as we said on Monday.