We have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues, including my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General. We fully respect the Sewel convention and have been working closely with the devolved Administrations, particularly through the Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Negotiations.

We have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues, including my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General. We fully respect the Sewel convention and have been working closely with the devolved Administrations, particularly through the Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Negotiations.

Similarly, Mr Speaker, may I express my best wishes to the hon. Lady for the future?

The question of whether a legislative consent motion will be required for the great repeal Bill will of course depend on the form and content of the great repeal Bill, which will be published in the next Parliament.

Similarly, Mr Speaker, may I express my best wishes to the hon. Lady for the future?

The question of whether a legislative consent motion will be required for the great repeal Bill will of course depend on the form and content of the great repeal Bill, which will be published in the next Parliament.

Yes, I did note that. The position is quite clear—it is member states that negotiate with the European Union. Given that this country voted as a single country to leave the European Union, we should be expecting the support of the Scottish National party and not what it is doing at the moment.

Yes, I did note that. The position is quite clear—it is member states that negotiate with the European Union. Given that this country voted as a single country to leave the European Union, we should be expecting the support of the Scottish National party and not what it is doing at the moment.

It is very likely that the necessary competencies will be created to allow the devolved Assemblies themselves to make those statutory instruments.

It is very likely that the necessary competencies will be created to allow the devolved Assemblies themselves to make those statutory instruments.

Yes, my hon. Friend is entirely right. Any such statutory instruments would be made pursuant to statute, which would of course go through this House and the other place in the normal way.

Yes, my hon. Friend is entirely right. Any such statutory instruments would be made pursuant to statute, which would of course go through this House and the other place in the normal way.

What discussions he has had with the Attorney General on which provisions in the Great Repeal Bill may require the Government to legislate on devolved matters before the UK leaves the EU.

What discussions he has had with the Attorney General on which provisions in the Great Repeal Bill may require the Government to legislate on devolved matters before the UK leaves the EU.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many officials of the three devolved administrations he plans to include in his team to conduct negotiations on the UK leaving the EU.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many officials of the three devolved administrations he plans to include in his team to conduct negotiations on the UK leaving the EU.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions he has had with the devolved administrations on legislative consent motions for the proposed Great Repeal Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions he has had with the devolved administrations on legislative consent motions for the proposed Great Repeal Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions he has had with the devolved administrations on legislative consent motions for the proposed Great Repeal Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions he has had with the devolved administrations on legislative consent motions for the proposed Great Repeal Bill.

Second reading second day. Debate resumed. Amendment to second reading motion proposed. Negatived on division (100 to 336). Original motion agreed to on division (498 to 114). Programme motion on Committal to a Committee of the Whole House, proceedings in Committee, and up to and including Third reading, disapplication of Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees), and other proceedings. Agreed to on division (329 to 112).

Second reading second day. Debate resumed. Amendment to second reading motion proposed. Negatived on division (100 to 336). Original motion agreed to on division (498 to 114). Programme motion on Committal to a Committee of the Whole House, proceedings in Committee, and up to and including Third reading, disapplication of...

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, if he will take steps to ensure that the Northern Ireland Assembly and the other devolved administration have the power to affirm or reject EU legislation governing devolved matters after the Great Repeal Bill becomes law; and if he...

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, if he will take steps to ensure that the Northern Ireland Assembly and the other devolved administration have the power to affirm or reject EU legislation governing devolved matters after the Great Repeal Bill becomes law; and if he...

The vote to leave the European Union was a vote to take back control, and this Government continue to champion devolution to local government.

The vote to leave the European Union was a vote to take back control, and this Government continue to champion devolution to local government.

The hon. Lady invites me to visit Newcastle. In fact, I do intend to visit it, and I look forward to seeing her and local government leaders there. I must point out that this Government are making huge strides towards rebalancing the economy and empowering local government through the devolution of powers away from Whitehall. At the autumn statement, the Government signalled their intention to go further, including exploring devolution to cities such as London and Greater Manchester and to the west midlands, and offering greater flexibility for mayoral combined authorities to borrow for their new functions.

The hon. Lady invites me to visit Newcastle. In fact, I do intend to visit it, and I look forward to seeing her and local government leaders there. I must point out that this Government are making huge strides towards rebalancing the economy and empowering local government through the devolution of powers away from Whitehall. At the autumn statement, the Government signalled their intention to go further, including exploring devolution to cities such as London and Greater Manchester and to the west midlands, and offering greater flexibility for mayoral combined authorities to borrow for their new functions.

The Government set out a clear plan at the autumn statement for our strategic framework for the northern powerhouse. We are spending £13 billion on transport in the north, establishing Transport for the North and ensuring a statutory status. Investment in the north is very substantial indeed, and that is borne out by the improving—and, indeed, record—levels of employment in the north.

The Government set out a clear plan at the autumn statement for our strategic framework for the northern powerhouse. We are spending £13 billion on transport in the north, establishing Transport for the North and ensuring a statutory status. Investment in the north is very substantial indeed, and that is borne out by the improving—and, indeed, record—levels of employment in the north.

I am glad that my right hon. Friend is so supportive of Government policy in this regard. He is absolutely right. Frankly, Opposition Members would do well to be more positive about the benefits of Brexit, rather than constantly seeking to talk down the economy.

I am glad that my right hon. Friend is so supportive of Government policy in this regard. He is absolutely right. Frankly, Opposition Members would do well to be more positive about the benefits of Brexit, rather than constantly seeking to talk down the economy.

Indeed, the regions are a European construct. Post-Brexit, we will be able to choose which parts of our country benefit from Government support.

Indeed, the regions are a European construct. Post-Brexit, we will be able to choose which parts of our country benefit from Government support.

As the hon. Gentleman will know, these matters are currently being litigated in the Supreme Court, which will consider them later this month. The judgment should be delivered before the end of next month.

As the hon. Gentleman will know, these matters are currently being litigated in the Supreme Court, which will consider them later this month. The judgment should be delivered before the end of next month.

My hon. Friend makes his point precisely; that is exactly the case. There will be substantial savings following our departure from the European Union, with more to invest in the local economies around our country.

My hon. Friend makes his point precisely; that is exactly the case. There will be substantial savings following our departure from the European Union, with more to invest in the local economies around our country.

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will be pleased when article 50 is triggered before the end of March. On the issue of local government in the north, all I can say is that there is huge enthusiasm in northern local authorities for directly elected Mayors.

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will be pleased when article 50 is triggered before the end of March. On the issue of local government in the north, all I can say is that there is huge enthusiasm in northern local authorities for directly elected Mayors.

The hon. Lady is entirely right: it is necessary to consult businesses, universities, civic leaders and all parts of civil society. Indeed, that is precisely what we are doing. The Department is engaging with representatives of over 50 sectors across the economy. This is important work, and it is much better to get a proper, reasonable Brexit than the hasty sort of Brexit that she and her colleagues seem to be advocating.

The hon. Lady is entirely right: it is necessary to consult businesses, universities, civic leaders and all parts of civil society. Indeed, that is precisely what we are doing. The Department is engaging with representatives of over 50 sectors across the economy. This is important work, and it is much better to get a proper, reasonable Brexit than the hasty sort of Brexit that she and her colleagues seem to be advocating.