Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill
Debate between Lord Gascoigne and Baroness DrakeTuesday 14th May 2024
(6 months, 2 weeks ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill 2022-23 View all Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill 2022-23 Debates Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts Amendment Paper: HL Bill 38-IV Fourth marshalled list for Committee - (10 May 2024)
Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab)
The rules say “normally brief” but I think the Committee would like to hear from my noble friend on this important issue.
Lord Gascoigne (Con)
With respect, I am not stopping the noble Baroness; I am just asking her to be brief.
Baroness Drake (Lab)
I will accept the constraint.
Finally, I take the point about lawyers having been involved in drafting this. I do not mean to be rude but in the area of investment and pension decisions, the road is littered with government-cleared legislation and regulation that has ended up being problematic or challenged in the courts and having to be revisited. I do not think we can rely wholly on that argument.
I think my amendment is being overblown. It is very clear that there is a problem, and that those engaged in this decision-making feel that there is a problem. The Government are opening up areas of legal uncertainty. We can nail it with a couple of words. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment.