Lord Lester of Herne Hill – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill on 2016-09-15.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the role that Parliament should play in triggering the Article 50 process, in the subsequent negotiating process, and in approving or otherwise the final terms under which the UK leaves the EU.

Lord Bridges of Headley

The Department for Exiting the EU will work closely with Parliament on what the approach to negotiations should be. The Government’s position is clear: triggering Article 50 is a prerogative power and one that can be exercised by the Government. There are now legal proceedings underway and it would therefore not be appropriate for the Government to comment further on these at this time.

The precise timing, terms and means by which we leave the EU will be determined by the negotiations that follow the triggering of Article 50. We will observe in full all relevant legal and constitutional obligations that apply.