Interpretation

European Union (Withdrawal) Bill – in the House of Commons at 9:22 pm on 20 December 2017.

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Votes in this debate

  • Division number 82
    A majority of MPs voted to set the moment of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union at 29 March 2019 at 11.00 p.m and not to allow ministers to change that.
  • Division number 83

Amendments proposed: 381, in clause14,page10,line25 leave out from “means” to “(and” in line 26 and insert

29 March 2019 at 11.00 p.m.”

This amendment removes the power for a Minister of the Crown to appoint exit day by regulations and ensures that exit day is fixed at 29 March 2019 at 11.00 p.m. for all purposes.

Amendment 399, page 10, line 26, leave out “subsection (2)” and insert “subsections (2) to (2C)”.

This amendment is consequential on amendment 400 and signposts, in the definition of “exit day”, the existence of the new subsections that are being inserted into Clause 14 by amendment 400.

Question put (single Question on amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown), That amendments 381 and 399 be made.—(Mr Baker.)

The House divided:

Ayes 319, Noes 294.

Division number 82 European Union (Withdrawal) Bill — Clause 14 — Interpretation — Moment of Withdrawal

A majority of MPs voted to set the moment of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union at 29 March 2019 at 11.00 p.m and not to allow ministers to change that.

Aye: 318 MPs

No: 294 MPs

Aye: A-Z by last name

Tellers

No: A-Z by last name

Tellers

Absent: 34 MPs

Absent: A-Z by last name

Question accordingly agreed to.

Amendments 381 and 399 agreed to.

Amendment proposed: 349, page 10, line 46, leave out

“for a term of more than 2 years” —(Paul Blomfield.)

This amendment would prevent Ministers using delegated powers to create criminal offences which carry custodial sentences.

Question put, That the amendment be made.

The House divided:

Ayes 295, Noes 318.

Division number 83 European Union (Withdrawal) Bill: Committee of the whole House Amdt 349

Aye: 294 MPs

No: 318 MPs

Aye: A-Z by last name

Tellers

No: A-Z by last name

Tellers

Question accordingly negatived.

Amendments made: 382, page 11, line 24, leave out from “Act” to end of line 32 and insert

“references to before, after or on exit day, or to beginning with exit day, are to be read as references to before, after or at 11.00 p.m. on 29 March 2019 or (as the case may be) to beginning with 11.00 p.m. on that day.”.

This amendment is consequential on amendment 381 and ensures that references to exit day in the Bill and other legislation operate correctly in relation to the time as well as the date of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU.

Amendment 400, page 11, line 32, at end insert—

“(2A) Subsection (2B) applies if the day or time on or at which the Treaties are to cease to apply to the United Kingdom in accordance with Article 50(3) of the Treaty on European Union is different from that specified in the definition of “exit day” in subsection (1).

(2B) A Minister of the Crown may by regulations—

(a) amend the definition of “exit day” in subsection (1) to ensure that the day and time specified in the definition are the day and time that the Treaties are to cease to apply to the United Kingdom, and

(b) amend subsection (2) in consequence of any such amendment.

(2C) In subsections (2A) and (2B) “the Treaties” means the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.”—(Mr Baker.)

This amendment confers power on a Minister of the Crown to amend the definition of “exit day” in Clause 14(1) if the day or time on or at which the United Kingdom ceases to be a member of the EU is different from that specified in the definition. There is also power to amend Clause 14(2) in consequence of amending the definition of “exit day”.

Clause 14, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Schedule 6 agreed to.

New Clause 44