The Scottish Government is to recall parliament this Thursday to enable parliament to approve or otherwise the UK Government’s Withdrawal Agreement Bill if the UK Parliament adopts the UK Government’s proposed legislative timetable.
This was set out by the Leader of the House yesterday and would mean that the legislation could be fast-tracked through the Commons where MPs would sit today and tomorrow until midnight. The legislation would then go to the House of Lords on Friday.
At this stage the government says it cannot recommend that consent is given.
A Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) lodged with the Scottish Parliament by Constitutional Relations Secretary Michael Russell raises concerns over the content of the Bill, its implementation and the lack of opportunity for detailed parliamentary scrutiny in either the UK or Scottish Parliaments.
Read the LCM here
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Open in new tab Mr Russell has described the approach of the UK Government to the passage of the Bill as “irresponsible and disrespectful of the legislatures of these islands and the devolution settlements”.
Writing to the UK Government to confirm that the Legislative Consent Memorandum has been lodged for consideration by the Scottish Parliament, he adds:“It is essential that it should receive scrutiny in all of the UK’s legislatures, that there should be the proper opportunity for civil society to consider it and for citizens to understand its meaning and significance, and for all constitutional conventions, including the Sewel Convention, to be respected during its passage.”
The Sewel Convention applies when Westminster wants to pass laws on a matter within the devolved competence of the Scottish Parliament. The UK Parliament will not normally do so without the relevant devolved institution having passed a legislative consent motion.
Mr Russell’s letter :
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