Immigration (Persons Designated under Sanctions Regulations) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020

Lord Cormack Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd September 2020 Grand Committee

[Lord Cormack (Con)]

My Lords, I begin by saying that I do not think that I shall need eight minutes.

I congratulate my noble friend on the way she introduced this non-controversial statutory instrument, but I am concerned about the aftermath of leaving the European Union in one particular context. It is something I raised when I was a member of the Home Affairs Sub-Committee of the European Union Committee of your Lordships’ House and that I have raised on the Floor of the House as well.

I deeply regret the fact that, unless there has been some dramatic change in negotiations, we are not going to be able to take advantage of the European arrest warrant, nor are we going to be a member of Europol. As we are essentially dealing with potentially dangerous people who could, economically or in other ways, be a profound danger to our country, our society and our way of life, it is crucial that we maintain the closest possible co-operation with our friends and neighbours in the European Union as we leave Europol and move out of the European arrest warrant. I would be grateful if the Minister will reassure me on that point when she winds up. I know that it is an issue that troubles a number of people, and it is one that certainly troubles me.