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Proceeding contribution from Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) in the House of Lords on Monday, 23 May 2011. It occurred during Committee of the Whole House (HL) and Debate on bill on European Union Bill.


European Union Bill

I am not sure I agree with the picture of decisions having to be taken instantly. On the contrary, it seems to me to be much more likely that there would be all kinds of negotiation, not least because it would result in one or more member states being outvoted. I do not think these are. This is a very complex matter, and I have sought to try to explain as best I can how we see it working but, of course, I will write to the noble Lord in more detail about his precise concerns. I am not sure that he has really satisfied me about the cutting edge of his amendment, and I have clearly not satisfied him. We will just go on boxing and coxing while other noble Lords have to listened, so I think it is better if I write to him and try to clarify the Government’s understanding of the reasoning and the reason why primary legislation would be justified against his clearly very strongly held view that it would not be justified and might hold things up.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
727 c1605 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Crime Administration of justice EU law Electoral Commission Legislation European communities EU justice and home affairs Powers Newspaper press Referendums Parliamentary scrutiny Sovereignty Treaties Reform Treaty on European Union UK membership of EU Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union Treaty of Lisbon
Legislation
European Communities Act 1972
European Union Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk