Henry VIII controls challenged

Peers have called for evidence on stricter scrutiny procedures for the Brexit Bill’s Henry VIII powers. The House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee seeks views on whether statutory instruments (SIs) under the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill should be upgraded from a negative to an affirmative procedure. Affirmative SIs are debated in the House while negative SIs automatically pass unless an objection is tabled. The House of Commons has already agreed to create a committee with powers to upgrade SIs under the Bill. Chairman of the Committee, Lord Trefgarne said: ‘It is essential that secondary legislation is properly scrutinised.’