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Proceeding contribution from William Cash (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 11 January 2011. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee of the Whole House (HC) on European Union Bill.


European Union Bill

I should be more than happy to show the hon. Gentleman a book that is entirely devoted to the issue of the sovereignty of Parliament. The point is that there is no need to define parliamentary sovereignty. The Constitutional Reform Act 2005, which gave greater independence to the judiciary and the whole of which ultimately turns on the rule of law, does not contain any definition of the rule of law. Certain fundamental principles, and methods whereby we are governed, do not require definition for that purpose. They are applied, in the case of both sovereignty and the rule of law. There is a natural constructive tension between the two, but it is our job to protect the element that involves the sovereignty of Parliament.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
521 c179 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Common law Constitutional and administrative law Judiciary EU law European communities Referendums Parliamentary scrutiny Sovereignty Treaties Reform UK membership of EU Supreme Court Rule of law
Legislation
European Communities Act 1972
European Union Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk