Flags (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019

Baroness Pitkeathley Excerpts

Monday 25th March 2019 Grand Committee

[Lord Duncan of Springbank]

I am very clear about what Europe Day represents, having been a Member of the European Parliament. I have spent a great deal of my life—10 years—in Europe representing the Scottish Parliament in Europe. I am fully aware of what Europe Day represents. I am also a Minister in the Northern Ireland Office, so I know what flags mean in Northern Ireland and I do not think we should be conflating the two in the manner the noble Lord suggests, but if he is minded to do so that is his prerogative and his right. I remind him only that this is a matter primarily about the union flag, not the European flag.

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Baroness Pitkeathley) (Lab)]

I clarify for the noble Lord that although we do not vote in Grand Committee, I will take the voices. The Question is that the Grand Committee do consider the Flags (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

[Lord Touhig]

Not content.

[Lord Bruce of Bennachie]

Not content.

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees]

I must remind the Grand Committee that a single call of “Not content” has the effect of negativing the Motion. With that in mind, I put the Question again.

[Lord Touhig]

Not content.