Clause 11 - Power to make consequential etc provision
European Parliament (Representation) Bill
2:30 pm
Ms Yvette Cooper (Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department; Pontefract and Castleford, Labour)
As I have clearly said, we believe that if it is possible for the Government of Gibraltar and the House of Assembly in Gibraltar to make the changes, it would be better for them to do so. That would be appropriate, as it is their law, and because it would mean that this House could confine itself to the issues that are relevant to UK law and to the business of the House.
The amendments ask for consultation with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar on which matters may be legislated in the House of Assembly in Gibraltar and which may be legislated in Parliament. That discussion and consideration is already taking place. We do not need to wait for the Bill to make that happen. As I said, we want the Government of Gibraltar and the House of Assembly to be able to legislate whenever possible. The amendments are unnecessary because they refer to work that is currently under way.
I also made it clear that we are prepared to consider further amendments, in the light of the Chief Minister's request, to see whether the Bill could include anything else to ensure that it is clear to everyone that the Government of Gibraltar are playing a role in the process.