Brexit Bill reform after devolution concerns
MINISTERS have conceded that reforms will be made to Brexit legislation that had been condemned by the Welsh Government as a “power grab”.
Scotland Secretary David Mundell told MPs that clause 11 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill would be amended to reflect the concerns raised by colleagues.
Clause 11, which was voted through by the Commons this week, established that powers currently exercised by devolved governments within EU frameworks would be returned to Westminster.
The Scottish and Welsh governments had called the clause a power grab by London on devolved matters.
Speaking at Scotland questions, shadow Scotland secretary Lesley Laird said: “On Monday the Scottish Tories were herded through the lobbies and told to trample all over the devolution settlement.
“So can I ask the Secretary of State who issued those instructions, the Prime Minister or Ruth Davidson and the Secretary of State?”
Mr Mundell said: “I know she doesn’t like it but the Bill is going to be amended.
“It’s going to be amended not at the behest of the incoherent approach put forward by the Labour opposition or the nationalist approach put forward by the SNP, it’s going to amended because Scottish Conservatives have come forward with practical amendments to the Bill.”