The Committee hears from the Lord Chancellor on the Internal Market Bill
The Constitution Committee holds its fifth and final evidence session on the UK Internal Market Bill. The Committee hears from the Rt Hon. Robert Buckland QC MP, Lord Chancellor on the Bill and its impact on the Rule of Law.
Meeting details
At 10:00am: Private discussion
Inquiry
United Kingdom Internal Market Bill
At 11:15am: Oral evidence
Inquiry
United Kingdom Internal Market Bill
Possible questions:
- As Lord Chancellor you swore to “respect the rule of law” under your oath of office. How do you reconcile the provisions in clauses 44, 45 and 47 of the Bill, which permit breaches of international law, with your oath?
- Does the Bill confer ministerial powers at odds with the duties set out in the Ministerial Code and the Cabinet Manual?
- As Lord Chancellor, what is your role when the Government proposes a course of action that is potentially unlawful?
- Clause 47 appears to exclude the possibility of judicial review proceedings challenging the lawfulness of regulations made under clauses 44 and 45 on all grounds but incompatibility with the ECHR rights protected under the Human Rights Act 1998. Could you explain how clause 47 of the Bill is intended to operate?