New Clause 4 - Reporting of consultation between the ICC and Secretary of State
International Criminal Court Bill [Lords]
10:15 am
Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough, Conservative)
I am glad to hear that the Minister is well aware of my concerns. I have a suspicion that he increasingly shares them.
The Opposition's worries about the issues lying behind the new clause were well explained by Lord Howell of Guildford in the Committee proceedings in the other place on 12 February, starting at column 115. I shall briefly paraphrase his arguments, and invite the Minister to respond a little more fully than did Lady Scotland of Asthal.
New clause 4 is self-explanatory. It allows a brief discussion on the issues that we have already discussed. It is a continuing concern of mine, as I have tediously mentioned, that we are debating these matters in a vacuum. The Government should be aware of the concerns of this legitimately elected Parliament that it can do nothing about how the Government exercise their prerogative powers. The new clause attempts to make some headway in redressing the balance between the powers of Government and of Parliament.
I have no doubt that it is much celebrated in the Labour party, but it is much regretted by the Opposition, that there has been a huge change in the balance of power between Parliament and the Executive during the past four years. Parliament has almost become a rubber stamp for the activities of the Prime Minister's official spokesman.