Joint Statement from The Interparliamentary Forum on Brexit

• Letter to Rt. Hon. David Lidington MP regarding Intergovernmental Relations, dated 26 April 2019

Representatives of Committees scrutinising Brexit-related issues in the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales, House of Commons and House of Lords, met to discuss and agree their response to the UK Minister for the Cabinet Office on the review of Intergovernmental relations.

This letter recommends that the outcome of the review should include explicit recognition of the scrutiny role for UK and Devolved Parliaments including the timely provision of information. It also recognises the commitment of the UK Minister for the Cabinet Office to resourcing and supporting proposals jointly put forward by the UK Legislatures.

The Forum also discussed common frameworks and the role of devolved administrations in future international agreements. As part of those discussions the Forum met with Michael Russell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations.

The Forum also recommends, in its letter to the UK Minister for the Cabinet Office, that each Parliament is given sufficient time and opportunity to scrutinise and approve common frameworks.

Finally the Forum agreed a terms of reference as annexed to this statement.

An official from the Northern Ireland Assembly was in attendance as an observer.

Participants agreed the following statement after the forum:

“Notwithstanding our differing political positions on Brexit, our respective Committees remain committed to working collaboratively to ensure effective scrutiny of the impact of Brexit across the UK. That is demonstrated by our shared and agreed recommendations to the Minister for the Cabinet Office on ensuring that a role for the UK and Devolved Parliaments in scrutinising intergovernmental relations is recognised by the JMC review currently underway.

We had a productive discussion with Michael Russell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations regarding the progress of the negotiations including the development of common frameworks and the role of devolved administrations in future international agreements. We have confirmed to the Minister for the Constitution our shared view that each Parliament and Assembly should have sufficient time to consider and approve Common Frameworks – be they legislative or non-legislative.

"There remains much uncertainty about how the Brexit process will develop over the coming months. We therefore propose to meet again in June to review progress.”

The next meeting of the Forum will be held at the House of Commons in June 2019.

Members in attendance

• Bruce Crawford MSP, Convener, Finance and Constitution Committee, Scottish Parliament
• Adam Tomkins MSP, Deputy Convener, Finance and Constitution Committee, Scottish Parliament
• Joan McAlpine MSP, Convener, Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee, Scottish Parliament
• Mick Antoniw AM, Chair, Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, National Assembly for Wales
• David Rees AM, Chair, External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee, National Assembly for Wales
• Lord McFall of Alcluith, Senior Deputy Speaker, House of Lords
• Lord Dunlop, member, Constitution Committee, House of Lords
• The Earl of Kinnoull, member, Lords European Union Select Committee, House of Lords 
• Sir Bernard Jenkin MP, Chair, Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, House of Commons
• Ronnie Cowan MP, member, Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, House of Commons
• Peter Grant MP, member, Exiting the European Union Committee, House of Commons

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