PM to revise Brexit impact on Holyrood
Key clause to be changed after Scots Tories’ pleas
THERESA May yesterday pledged to change key Brexit legislation to address Scots’ fears it amounts to a ‘power grab’.
The Prime Minister vowed to act a day after the Scottish Conservatives raised concerns about ‘clause 11’ of the so-called Great Repeal Bill, which deals with issues relating to the devolved administrations.
The clause will mean EU responsibilities in devolved areas are initially transferred to Westminster, which will then decide whether to pass them to Holyrood and other parliaments – a move First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has described as a ‘power grab’.
But at Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday, Mrs May was asked by SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford if she agreed that clause 11 had to be changed.
She said: ‘The right honourable gentleman knows full well that we have said we will look to improve clause 11. Indeed, my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster [David Lidington] made it very clear when he was answering questions earlier that we continue to look to amend clause 11.
‘However, as I discussed with the First Minister before Christmas, we are looking to work with the devolved administrations to ensure that we put the right frameworks in place so that, when we come to bring forward any amendment, it is done in the best possible way in the interests of all concerned.
‘I thought that had been accepted by the Scottish National Party, but we will be looking to bring forward amendments in the Lords.’
Clause 11 was criticised as ‘not acceptable’ by Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw on Tuesday.
The issue will be dealt with in the House of Lords after the UK Government missed a deadline to table amendments for the final Commons debate.
Mr Blackford said: ‘The Tories always promise Scotland everything and deliver nothing. The Prime Minister has one last chance. Will she assure the House that amendments will be tabled ahead of next week, as promised?’
Mrs May said: ‘The SNP says it wants to work with us on the future frameworks; we are doing exactly that. It says it wants clause 11 amended; we are doing exactly that.
‘My right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is intensifying his discussions with the Scottish Government and, indeed, with the Executive in Wales as part of that. We will be bringing forward amendments. The right honourable member for Ross, Skye and Lochaber [Mr Blackford] says this is a Government who never deliver for Scotland.
‘An extra £2billion as a result of the Budget – that is delivering for Scotland.’
Yesterday, the Scottish Government said it had started working on separate Holyrood legislation in case Holyrood cannot give its consent to the EU Withdrawal Bill.
Ministers said they could introduce the ‘Continuity Bill’ in the Scottish parliament next month in an attempt to ensure Scottish law is prepared for Brexit.
In a joint letter to Holyrood’s Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh, Brexit minister Mike Russell and Parliamentary Business Minister Joe Fitzpatrick said they were seeking a speedy timetable for Scottish continuity legislation.
The letter said: ‘The Scottish Government’s preference is to work collaboratively with the UK Government on the legislative consequences of EU withdrawal, including through the EU (Withdrawal) Bill.
‘Discussions continue on the potential for amendments to be made, but as things stand we need to prepare responsibly for the possibility of consent being withheld.’
‘Delivering for Scotland’