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Proceeding contribution from Jack Straw (Labour) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 20 October 2009. It occurred during Debate on bill on Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill.

Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill

It was my experience as Foreign Secretary, when I regarded it as offensive to this House and our democracy that Parliament had no formal, proper role to agree or to veto treaties, that led to this part of the Bill being laid before the House. This provision is not, in any sense, supposed to be symbolic. We are, of course, open to arguments as to how it could be improved, but I should say that never before has there been—as there will be if this Bill is enacted—power for this House properly to veto a ratification if it so judges.

Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
497 c833 
Session
2008-09
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Disciplinary proceedings Courts British nationality Conduct Devolution Civil servants Civil service Diplomatic service Attorney General By-elections Elections Human rights House of Lords Judiciary Electoral register Hereditary peers Government departments Judges Electoral systems Misconduct Northern Ireland Public appointments Parliament Square Protest Public expenditure Parliamentary scrutiny Politics and government Peers Parliament Special advisers Public order National Audit Office Overseas residence Scotland Tribunals Treaties Reform Wales Voting rights Royal prerogative Civil Service Commission
Legislation
Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill 2008-09 to 2009-10
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk