Extension of Article 50

Lord Harris of Haringey Excerpts
Wednesday 25th September 2019

(5 years, 1 month ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Callanan Portrait Lord Callanan
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I am happy to confirm to my noble friend the answer I just gave: the Government will of course abide by the law.

Lord Harris of Haringey Portrait Lord Harris of Haringey (Lab)
- Hansard - -

My Lords, I am not sure that the Minister has answered the question asked by my noble friend Lady Hayter. We assume, of course, that the Government will abide by the law, but her question was whether a second letter will be sent to the EU saying, “Please don’t accept our request”. Can he give a categorical assurance that the Government will not do that and that they will not seek to go around the wording of the law which was passed by this House?

Lord Callanan Portrait Lord Callanan
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I can give the noble Lord a categorical assurance that the Government will abide by the law. We write all sorts of letters, to all sorts of people, all of the time. I am sure that letter writing will continue, even if there is no deal. I can go no further than to repeat what I have said: we are a law-abiding Government and we will abide by the law.