Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK Internal Market Bill: Northern Ireland

Thursday 24 September 2020 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister regularly meets with the Northern Ireland Secretary to discuss the UK Internal Market Bill.
  • The UKIM Bill does not constitute a breach of law but can disapply treaty obligations if exercised.
  • Government defends the UKIM Bill as constitutional due to parliamentary supremacy over international law.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Northern Ireland
Context

The United Kingdom Internal Market Bill is under discussion and has raised concerns about its legality.

Question

What discussions have you had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill?

Answer from Suella Braverman

I regularly meet the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to discuss important issues. The UKIM Bill is a landmark legislation safeguarding and enriching the Union, creating legal safety nets and taking powers in reserve to guarantee UK integrity and protect the peace process.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify any specific discussions or agreements on implementing the bill

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Q2 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Brexit
Context

Concerns about the legality of the UKIM Bill have been raised.

Question

So it does not break any law, does it?

Answer from Suella Braverman

Considering and voting for this Bill do not constitute a breach of law. However, powers in the Bill can disapply treaty obligations if exercised, making it constitutional due to parliamentary supremacy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide explicit confirmation that the bill does not break any laws

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Q3 Ellie Reeves Lab Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Northern Ireland Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Procedure
Context

Former UK Prime Ministers have expressed concerns about the bill breaking international law.

Question

The last five former UK PMs share concern over breaking international law through the UKIM Bill. The Northern Ireland Secretary said it would break the law in a specific and limited way, while the Attorney General's predecessor called this 'unconscionable.' Are they all wrong?

Answer from Suella Braverman

In law, the Government can act as proposed; in practice, political debate determines appropriateness. Parliamentary supremacy prevails over international law.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address whether former PMs and AG's predecessor were correct

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Q4 Ellie Reeves Lab Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Democracy & Elections Foreign Affairs
Context

The Attorney General is expected to defend the rule of law, but questions arise about her actions regarding the bill.

Question

The Government Law Officers must uphold the rule of law without fear or favour. The questioner challenges if the AG has upheld this principle in light of the UKIM Bill's breach of international law.

Answer from Suella Braverman

Supporting the Bill protects the country and safeguards the Union. Calling this un-patriotic is illogical, doing a disservice to national interests.

Not addressed: Shifted focus from defending rule of law to patriotism instead

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Q5 Stuart McDonald SNP
Brexit Democracy & Elections
Context

The Attorney General's loyalty to the rule of law is questioned due to her support for the bill.

Question

The Attorney General has prioritized political loyalties over legal principles, illustrating why future AGs should be lawyers not party politicians.

Answer from Suella Braverman

Legal basis for Government's proposals was set out in statements, clarifying it is constitutional to enact legislation potentially breaching international law or treaty obligations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address concerns about political loyalty versus legal principles

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