Retaining EU restrictions in EU devolution legislation etc.

European Union (Withdrawal) Bill – in the House of Commons at 7:00 pm on 16 January 2018.

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Votes in this debate

  • Division number 95
    A majority of MPs voted against allowing the devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to make laws which are incompatible with European Union law, and against new United Kingdom frameworks to replace European ones.

Amendment proposed: 3, page 7, line 23, leave out subsections (1) to (3) and insert—

‘(1) In section 29(2)(d) of the Scotland Act 1998 (no competence for Scottish Parliament to legislate incompatibly with EU law), omit “or with EU law”.

(2) In section 108A(2)(e) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (no competence for National Assembly for Wales to legislate incompatibly with EU law), omit “or with EU law”.

(3) In section 6(2)(d) of the Northern Ireland Act (no competency for the Assembly to legislate incompatibly with EU law, omit “is incompatible with EU law”.

(4) The Secretary of State must lay before each House of Parliament proposals for replacing European frameworks with UK ones.

(5) UK-wide frameworks shall be proposed if and only if they are necessary to—

(a) enable the functioning of the UK internal market,

(b) ensure compliance with international obligations,

(c) ensure the UK can negotiate, enter into and implement new trade agreements and international treaties,

(d) enable the management of common resources,

(e) administer and provide access to justice in cases with a cross-border element, or

(f) safeguard the security of the UK.

(6) Ministers of the Crown shall create UK-wide frameworks only if they have consulted with, and secured the agreement of, the affected devolved administrations.”

This amendment removes the Bill’s proposed restrictions on the ability of the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly to legislate on devolved matters and creates new collaborative procedures for the creation of UK-wide frameworks for retained EU law.—(Jenny Chapman.)

The House divided:

Ayes 297, Noes 321.

Division number 95 European Union (Withdrawal) Bill — Clause 11 — Powers of Devolved Administrations to Make Laws Incompatible With EU Law

A majority of MPs voted against allowing the devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to make laws which are incompatible with European Union law, and against new United Kingdom frameworks to replace European ones.

Aye: 297 MPs

No: 321 MPs

Aye: A-Z by last name

Tellers

No: A-Z by last name

Tellers

Absent: 28 MPs

Absent: A-Z by last name

Question accordingly negatived.

Bill to be further considered tomorrow.

East End Jobcentre Closures

Photo of John Bercow John Bercow Chair, Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, Speaker of the House of Commons, Chair, Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, Chair, Commons Reference Group on Representation and Inclusion Committee, Chair, Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, Chair, Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, Chair, Commons Reference Group on Representation and Inclusion Committee

Order. If, unaccountably, there are right hon. and hon. Members who do not wish to hear the contents of the petition, perhaps they can leave the Chamber quickly and quietly. Nadhim Zahawi has a most interesting conversation, I am sure. It is best conducted outside the Chamber, for which we are grateful. Nevertheless, David Linden still has the joy and exhilaration of addressing an almost packed House.

Photo of David Linden David Linden SNP Whip

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

I rise to present a petition on behalf of the constituents of Glasgow East. With the UK Government already having betrayed the communities of Anniesland and Maryhill by closing their jobcentre, this is the last attempt to save our jobcentres in Glasgow East.

The petition states:

The petition of residents of Glasgow East constituency, declares that the Department for Work and Pensions plans to close Jobcentres in Glasgow, including Parkhead Jobcentre and Easterhouse Jobcentre, will impact tens of thousands of people in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and Universal Credit, and that the consequences will be severely felt by some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people;
have concerns that these closures will result in the poorest communities not being serviced by a Jobcentre and make it even harder for those seeking employment to get support, with people running a greater risk of falling foul of the UK Government’s sanctions regime;
and are further concerned that these plans will also impact Scottish workers who will be forced to relocate to other Jobcentres.

The petitioners therefore request the House of Commons to urge the Government to halt any move to close Glasgow’s Jobcentres, publish thorough Equality Assessments and go through a full and proper consultation before making any decisions on the future of the estate.

And the petitioners remain, etc.

[P002097]