Repeal (EU Withdrawal) Bill - Amendments and Parliamentary Powers

Amendment 7 

Thank you for contacting me about the amendment 7 to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill tabled by Dominic Grieve MP on approval of the final deal with the EU which was narrowly passed in December.
 
The Government has already said that MPs would have at least three formal opportunities to have a say on the UK's withdrawal from the EU in addition to the many debates that take place in Parliament every week. 
 
Before the amendment was voted on, my ministerial colleagues had said that MPs would have a vote on whether to accept the final deal or not as soon as possible after the end of the negotiations. It is still the intention that this should take place and before the European Parliament votes on the agreement. 
 
The Prime Minister had also separately promised that a Bill would be brought forward so that the withdrawal agreement reached with the EU could be put into UK domestic law. This would give MPs another chance to debate, scrutinise and vote on the deal reached with the EU.
 
Further agreements reached on the UK and the EU's future relationship would additionally be implemented through legislation where necessary. This would give MPs an opportunity again to scrutinise the deal reached the EU. Therefore this amendment was unnecessary. 
 
As I have previously pledged, I will do everything I can to ensure the democratic will of my constituents and the British people is respected, and therefore I do not wish to see attempts to delay or derail Brexit, which the Government has an instruction to deliver.

Parliamentary Powers

The Bill honours the referendum result and provides certainty for businesses. It repeals the European Communities Act 1972, which gives effect to EU law in the UK, and converts all EU law into UK law. It also provides ministers in the UK Government and in the devolved administrations with temporary powers to make corrections to the law. Without it there would be holes in our legal system and chaos for the British people. 
 
The delegated power is important because not all laws will make sense after the UK leaves the EU. For example, references to the UK as a member of the EU will have to be removed and temporary delegated powers will allow ministers to do this in time for the UK's departure. I do not believe that it would be sensible for MPs to debate such changes every time they arise.
 
The Bill does not, however, allow the Government to bypass Parliament. MPs will still be able to scrutinise any changes introduced by ministers using delegated powers and major policy changes will be introduced as separate Bills. The Queen's Speech announced legislation on agriculture, immigration and trade. Future laws will be made in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.  
 
The Prime Minister has promised that Parliament will have a say over the final withdrawal deal but it is not within the Government's power to unilaterally extend the negotiation period for further discussions. EU law is clear that the UK will leave the EU in March 2019 whether or not a withdrawal agreement is reached. By voting for this Bill, the UK will leave the EU in a smooth and orderly way. Voting against the Bill would create chaos and uncertainty.

The Prime Minister has also outlined that worker's rights will be protected when we leave the EU.

In regards to Amendment 7 and Parliamentary approval: 

The Government has already said that MPs would have at least three formal opportunities to have a say on the UK's withdrawal from the EU in addition to the many debates that take place in Parliament every week. 
 
Before the amendment was voted on, my ministerial colleagues had said that MPs would have a vote on whether to accept the final deal or not as soon as possible after the end of the negotiations. It is still the intention that this should take place and before the European Parliament votes on the agreement. 
 
The Prime Minister had also separately promised that a Bill would be brought forward so that the withdrawal agreement reached with the EU could be put into UK domestic law. This would give MPs another chance to debate, scrutinise and vote on the deal reached the EU.
 
Further agreements reached on the UK and the EU's future relationship would additionally be implemented through legislation where necessary. This would give MPs an opportunity again to scrutinise the deal reached the EU.