Asked by: Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to ensure that the principles of (1) non-discrimination, and (2) free movement of goods and services, apply to the exercise of powers relating to the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, after the UK has left the EU, equivalent to those principles which are currently enshrined in EU law; and if so, how.
Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley
We are committed to negotiating an Exit deal that works for the whole of the UK. We want to work with the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to find a practical solution that keeps the border as seamless and frictionless as possible, recognising the unique economic, social and political context of the land border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
We will work closely together with the Irish Government to ensure that, as the UK leaves the EU, we find shared solutions to the challenges and maximise the opportunities for both the UK and Ireland.
Asked by: Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the government of Hungary to protect the legitimacy, autonomy and academic freedom of the Central European University.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
We are closely monitoring the situation. As part of our regular, open and frank discussions with the Hungarian Government, the British Embassy in Budapest is engaging with them on this matter.
Asked by: Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to impose any legislative requirement on the devolved administrations to comply with the principles of (1) non-discrimination, and (2) free movement of goods and services between the constituent parts of the UK, in the exercise of their powers after the UK has left the EU, equivalent to those principles which are currently enshrined in EU law; and if so, how.
Answered by Lord Price
As the UK leaves the EU our guiding principle will be to ensure that no new barriers to living and doing business within our own Union are created. We will maintain the necessary standards and frameworks to empower the UK as an open, trading nation to strike the best deals around the world.
On the basis of these principles, we will work with the devolved administrations on an approach to returning powers from the EU that works for the whole of the UK and reflects the interests of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England.
Asked by: Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish a plan for how the Brussels regime on EU civil justice co-operation will apply post-Brexit.
Answered by Lord Keen of Elie
As made clear in the Government’s White Paper, The United Kingdom’s exit from and new partnership with the European Union, civil judicial cooperation is an important issue, which is being considered as part of the UK's preparations for EU exit negotiations.
We recognise that an effective system of civil judicial cooperation will provide certainty and protection for citizens and businesses, families and consumers. The UK intends to keep working with others, including stakeholders, in order to ensure a smooth transition to future arrangements.
Asked by: Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they intend to take in response to the recommendations by Baroness McGregor-Smith in her report <i>Race in the workplace</i> to eliminate racial discrimination in the workplace.
Answered by Lord Prior of Brampton
The business case for action has been made. While we know that many companies are already taking forward some of the recommended actions, more needs to be done. We set out in the Government response that we will be working with Business in the Community in supporting companies to make these changes including developing a simple guide on how to discuss race in the workplace, ensuring easy access to an online portal of best practice and celebrating success through a list of the top 100 BME employers. We will also monitor progress through the new Diversity and Inclusion Group, chaired by my hon. Friend the Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility.
Asked by: Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the statement by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 28 February (GC 207), what criteria will be used to monitor whether sufficient progress is made in giving effect to the recommendations by Baroness McGregor-Smith in her report <i>Race in the workplace </i>to eliminate racial discrimination in employment.
Answered by Lord Prior of Brampton
The Government welcomes Baroness McGregor-Smith’s report and encourages businesses to take forward her recommendations. The practicalities of implementation will differ depending on the business in question, but as we set out in the Government response, we will be working with Business in the Community in supporting companies to make these changes. My hon. Friend the Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility has also announced that she will chair a new Business Diversity and Inclusion Group which will bring together some of the key figures leading work on this agenda to provide strategic leadership and ensure that we deliver a clear and coherent message to the business community on what they are expected to do.
Asked by: Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they intend to publish the White Paper on the Great Repeal Bill.
Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley
I refer the noble Lord to the answer given on 20 February 2017 to Question HL5308.
The Government will bring forward a White Paper on the Great Repeal Bill in advance of introduction of the Great Repeal Bill in the next session. It will set out our approach to giving effect to withdrawal on the domestic statute book.
Asked by: Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to continue to honour the UK's commitments under the European Convention on Human Rights and to give effect to internationally binding judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in UK cases.
Answered by Lord Keen of Elie
The Government has no plans to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights. As a nation we continue to comply with our international human rights obligations.
Asked by: Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks in the White Paper <i>The United Kingdom's exit from and new partnership with the European Union</i>, how the Great Repeal Bill will ensure that legislatures and Courts in the UK will be the final decision-makers in respect of UK cases.
Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley
The Government will bring forward legislation in the next session that, when enacted, will repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and ensure a functioning statute book on the day we leave the EU. This ‘Great Repeal Bill’ will end the authority of EU law and return power to the UK.
The Prime Minister has been clear that we will take back control of our laws and bring an end to the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union in the UK.
Our laws will be made in Westminster, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast and those laws will be interpreted by judges not in Luxembourg but in courts across this country.
Asked by: Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to seek to protect the rights of audience in the European Court of Justice for members of the UK legal professions following the UK's exit from the EU.
Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley
The Government will seek a new and ambitious Free Trade Agreement to ensure the UK has the greatest possible tariff- and barrier-free trade with the EU, including trade in legal services. The arrangements that will apply following the UK's exit are subject to the wider negotiations on our future relationship with the EU.