Written statement on English Votes for English Laws Analysis for Higher Education and Research Bill

Joseph Johnson (Department for Education): I am pleased to announce the publication of the Government’s analysis of English Votes for English Laws in relation to amendments made to the Higher Education and Research Bill in the House of Lords.

The English Votes for English Laws process applies to public bills in the House of Commons. To support the process, the Government has agreed that it will provide information to assist the Speaker in considering whether to certify a Bill or any of its provisions for the purposes of English Votes for English Laws. Bill provisions that relate exclusively to England or to England and Wales, and which have a subject matter within the legislative competence of one or more of the devolved legislatures, can be certified.

The memorandum also provides an assessment of Government amendments tabled in lieu of Lords amendments, for the purposes of English Votes for English Laws. The Department’s assessment is that the amendments do not change the territorial application of the Bill.

This analysis reflects the position should all the Government amendments be accepted.

The memorandum can be found on the Bill documents page of the Parliament website at: http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2016-17/highereducationandresearch.html and I have deposited a copy in the Libraries of the House.