Asked by: Lord Myners (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty's Government under what circumstances they would seek a second vote in the House of Commons on their Brexit proposals if they lose the meaningful vote.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
If the House of Commons votes against the withdrawal agreement and future framework, the provisions of section 13(4) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 will apply. This would require a Minister of the Crown, within the period of 21 calendar days beginning with the day on which the House of Commons decides not to pass the resolution, to make a statement setting out how Her Majesty’s Government proposed to proceed in relation to negotiations for the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU under Article 50(2) of the Treaty on European Union.
Asked by: Lord Myners (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they support a second referendum on Brexit.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
After a period of sustained public debate, a clear majority of the electorate voted to leave the EU in June 2016 with the highest number of votes cast for anything in UK electoral history. We must respect both the will of the British people, and the democratic process which delivered this result. As such, it is a matter of Government policy that there will not be a second referendum on our exit from the EU.
Asked by: Lord Myners (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty's Government following the comments by the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU on the Andrew Marr Show on 10 December that the Brussels undertaking was "more of a statement of intent than (it was) a legally enforceable thing", whether those comments represent their official policy.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Both the UK and the EU have been clear that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. We are clear that we want to honour the agreements set out in the joint report.
As the Secretary of State clarified on Thursday 14 December in Parliament, ‘the Withdrawal Agreement will be a treaty, and treaties are binding on this country.’ Therefore, the agreement will be captured in the Withdrawal Agreement, which will be legally enforceable.
Asked by: Lord Myners (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the comments by the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union on 10 December that the agreement reached with the EU on 8 December was a "statement of intent", whether they consider that agreement to be binding.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Both the UK and the EU have been clear that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. We are clear that we want to honour the agreements set out in the joint report.
As the Secretary of State clarified on Thursday 14 December in Parliament, ‘the Withdrawal Agreement will be a treaty, and treaties are binding on this country.’ Therefore, the agreement will be captured in the Withdrawal Agreement, which will be legally enforceable.
Asked by: Lord Myners (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have taken legal advice on whether they can revoke or pause the Article 50 two year timetable.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
It has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on legal advice that may or may not have been received. A clear majority of the electorate voted to leave the EU and we will respect the will of the British people. As a matter of firm policy, our notification will not be withdrawn, for the simple reason that people voted to leave. And we are determined to see through that instruction.
Asked by: Lord Myners (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty's Government how they intend to determine the UK's share of continuing contributions to the EU after Brexit.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We have been clear that, once we leave the EU, we will not be required to pay vast contributions to the EU budget. However, as we move forward, we will also want to continue working together in ways that promote the long-term economic development of our continent. This will include continuing to take part in those specific policies and programmes which are greatly to the UK and the EU’s joint advantage, such as those that promote science, education and culture – and those that promote our mutual security.
As the Prime Minister reaffirmed in her Florence speech, in doing so, we would want to make an ongoing contribution to cover our fair share of the costs involved. We hope to have a full and open discussion with the EU about all of the options for collaboration as part of the negotiations on our future partnership.
Asked by: Lord Myners (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to EU member states regarding the cost of new customs facilities and infrastructure that would be required in the event of a no deal outcome from the Brexit negotiations.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
Alongside our negotiations with the European Commission on the UK's exit from the European Union, the Government has regular and extensive engagement with EU Member States. These discussions lay the groundwork for constructive dialogue as we seek a successful outcome with the European Union.
Asked by: Lord Myners (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
Her Majesty's Government whether they have taken legal advice on whether the UK can revoke the triggering of Article 50.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
A clear majority of the electorate voted to leave the EU and we will respect the will of the British people. This was reinforced by the fact that in the last general election over eighty percent voted for parties committed to respecting the outcome of the referendum. There can be no attempts to remain inside the EU and no attempt to rejoin it. There is no precedent for a country triggering Article 50, let alone seeking to reverse such a decision. As a matter of firm policy, our notification will not be withdrawn - for the simple reason that people voted to leave. And we are determined to see through that instruction.