Written question asked by Lord Elystan-Morgan (Crossbench) on Wednesday, 22 November 2017, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 6 December 2017. It was answered by Lord Young of Cookham (Conservative) on Tuesday, 5 December 2017 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Devolution

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the undertaking given in paragraph 20 of the October 2013 Memorandum of Understanding that they would “involve the devolved administrations as fully as possible in discussions about the formulation of the UK’s policy position on all EU and international issues which touch on devolved matters”, whether they plan to involve Scottish and Welsh Ministers directly in decision-making concerning such discussions.

Answer: The UK Government has been clear that the devolved administrations should be fully engaged in preparations for the UK’s exit from the EU. The Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Negotiations facilitates engagement and collaboration on EU Exit. In addition to the formal structures of the Joint Ministerial Committee, constructive bilateral engagement with the devolved administrations on a wide range of policy areas related to EU Exit continues at both Ministerial and official level.

Secondary information