Business of the House

Debate between Lord Lansley and Baroness Noakes

Thursday 4th April 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Lansley (Con)]

My noble friend argues that the Bill is therefore unnecessary, but I am afraid that it would be necessary if, for example, the European Council made a counterproposal for a significantly longer extension of Article 50. In the absence of this legislation, the Prime Minister would have to use the prerogative power to refuse that, and we might then leave on 12 April without a deal. The House of Commons, with this legislation, seeks to exclude that possibility. I am sorry; the argument that this is unnecessary does not wash.

[Baroness Noakes]

I have to disagree with my noble friend on that. We have to trust that the Prime Minister means what she says.