Brexit should be scrutinised as it happens say Lords

20 Oct 2016 03:26 PM

The House of Lords EU Committee publishes its report urging that Parliament should be actively involved in scrutinising the forthcoming negotiations on Brexit as they happen – rather than after decisions have been taken, as proposed by the Government.

• Report: Brexit: parliamentary scrutiny(PDF)
• Report: Brexit: parliamentary scrutiny (HTML)
• Evidence: Brexit: parliamentary scrutiny ( PDF 828 KB)
• Inquiry: Brexit: parliamentary scrutiny
• European Union Committee

Background

The report builds on undertakings by the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, Rt Hon David Davis MP, that the Westminster Parliament would have at least the same level of access to information during the negotiations as the European Parliament. The Committee explains just what this will mean in practice.

Key findings

• It would be in the interests of Government, Parliament and the public for Parliament to vote on the Government's Brexit negotiation guidelines before Article 50 is triggered.
• Too much is at stake – including many key aspects of domestic policy – for Ministers and officials to be allowed to take decisions behind closed doors, without parliamentary and democratic scrutiny.
• Allowing Parliament to provide timely and constructive commentary throughout the negotiations would increase the likelihood of Parliament and the public accepting the final deal.

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees