Trade Talks with India, Greenland and Israel

Lord Hamilton of Epsom Excerpts
Wednesday 9th March 2022

(2 years, 9 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Grimstone of Boscobel Portrait Lord Grimstone of Boscobel (Con)
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My Lords, first, if I may just offer a small correction to the noble Lord, the Ponsonby rule survived for 86 years before it was supplanted by CRaG. I can completely confirm that now that they are governed by CRaG, the Government will abide by CRaG in all the appropriate circumstances.

Lord Hamilton of Epsom Portrait Lord Hamilton of Epsom (Con)
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My Lords, does my noble friend accept that however much Parliament oversees free trade agreements, it cannot amend them?

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel Portrait Lord Grimstone of Boscobel (Con)
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My Lords, I recognise the point, but free trade agreements are negotiated under the royal prerogative. The House has full opportunities to scrutinise these agreements as they move to ratification, and I believe this should be sufficient for noble Lords.