Davis unveils Great Repeal Bill plan

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Government plans to transfer thousands of EU laws into UK law have been unveiled in the Commons by Brexit Secretary David Davis.

Mr Davis said  the Great Repeal Bill  would allow the UK Parliament and Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland administrations to scrap, amend and improve laws.

EU laws on everything from workers' rights to the environment would become part of the UK statue under the plans.

It would also end the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

The three principle elements of the bill are:

• Repeal the European Communities Act and return power to UK
• Convert EU law into UK law allowing businesses to ensure the rules "do not change overnight"
• Create necessary powers to correct the laws that do not operate appropriately once the UK has left the EU so legal system can function properly.

You can read our coverage from today's events from here .

The House of Lords has now adjourned.

Peers will be back on Monday to continue committee stage debate of the Criminal Finances Bill.

Do join us again next week.

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Leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Evans says says she is not convinced the involvement of the Lord Speaker will be the "magic bullet" in resolving any current issues at question time.

Baroness Evans notes that she has only had to make a "dozen or so" interventions in question time, since the beginning of 2017.

She tells peers there will not be an official review in to the role of the Lord Speaker, as it is "not a priority" but adds "that there is always room for improvements".

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And that concludes the day and week in the House of Commons.

MPs now leave for a two week Easter recess. They will return on Tuesday 18 April with questions to the Chancellor.

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Leader of the Opposition, Baroness Smith praises the "useful debate" and says the proposals are "sensible and incremental". 

This week has been particularly "undignified" and "bad-tempered", she adds. 

Baroness Smith tells peers she would welcome further discussion on this topic with the Leader of the House.

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Responding to the debate, Financial Secretary to the Treasury Jane Ellison tells MPs that the government is increasing the personal allowance, increasing the national living wage, and doubling free childcare.

Such measures, she says will women "earn more and keep more" of their money.

She says that the government will reduce VAT on tampons "as soon as we are practically able to within the constraints of the EU law".

Last year the European Council stated that it would bring forward proposals to allow countries to set a zero- VAT rating on sanitary products.

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Conservative peer Lord Horam says people are "intimidated" by the atmosphere and so do not participate in question time.

He appeals to the "modern-minded" Leader of the House, Baroness Evans, to "see the sense in this". 

Lord Cormack, another Conservative notes the Lord Speaker's recent comments on the BBC Two 'Meet the Lords' documentary were very "helpful" and showed him to be a "servant of the House".

The peer said it was "utterly predictable" that much of the BBC film "should dwell on the red robes, an extravagant country mansion and comments about 'the best club in London'. "  

You can read Lord Fowler's comments in full here.

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MPs now come to the last item of business of the day - an adjournment debate on the affordability of sanitary products.

Labour MP Paula Sherriff argues that "period poverty has gone under the radar for some time".

She says that some women are faced with the choice of "stealing products or doing without".

She adds that women have been forced to use alternatives such as socks or old newspapers thereby risking infections.

The problem is most pronounced for homeless women, she says.  

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Opposition spokeswoman Cat Smith responds to the debate and wishes a Happy Easter to other MPs and parliamentary staff.

She also particularly offers her thanks to the police and security on the parliamentary estate whose work, she says, "may often have gone unnoticed".

Deputy Leader Michael Ellis praises the parliamentary doorkeepers for displaying calm, dignity, professionalism and control during last week's terrorist attack. 

He concludes with a tribute to PC Keith Palmer: "He did nothing less than save lives."

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Lord Rooker says the current self-regulating system is a "bear pit" with "bullies" from all sides competing to speak. 

The Labour peer says there are world-class experts on the red benches that "can't bring themselves to get involved".

Crossbencher Lord Low says the House of Lords becomes "undignified" when it comes to question time or statements. 

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Labour peer Lord Grocott rises to suggest "two small changes" to improve the House of Lords' "intelligibility to the public".

He proposes that the Lord Speaker is given control of daily question time. Lord Grocott says the atmosphere is increasingly "aggressive" and many members with valuable knowledge are dissuaded from contributing. 

He also suggests that the Lord Speaker has control of announcing and managing statements, to enable as many peers as possible to contribute.

Currently question time and statements in the House of Lords are self-regulated.

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Labour's Lyn Brown raises the issue of hysteroscopy. 

She explains this is when a small device - often including a camera - is inserted manually through the cervix into the womb.

She objects to the fact that local anesthetic is not routinely offered during the procedure and quotes the experience of one woman:

"It was so excruciatingly painful I cried out, my body went into shock and I began sweat profusely... I've never experienced agonising pain like it in my entire life."

Conservative Bob Stewart recalls that the Labour MP has raise this before and says "it deeply upsets me".

"For goodness sake this has got to be sorted out."

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Peers are now taking part in a debate tabled by Labour's Lord Grocott on the role of the Lord Speaker.   

The Lord Speaker chairs daily business in the House of Lords chamber - but unlike the Commons speaker he does not make rulings on what is in order or decide who gets to speak. 

He also acts an ambassador for the work of the House, conducting outreach work and representing the Lords at events. 

The current Lord Speaker is Lord (Norman) Fowler.

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Labour's Lord Davies of Stamford says leaving the single market would have "devastating consequences" for the UK economy, and it would be "elementary common-sense" for the government to review this policy.

Brexit Minister Lord Bridges says leaving the EU will be done in a "sensible" manner and will be "mindful and sensitive" to the needs of the economy.

In January, Prime Minister Theresa May said the UK "cannot possibly" remain within the European single market, as staying in it would mean "not leaving the EU at all".  

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Conservative Sir David Amess now rises to make his speech.

He trots through a number of issues including school funding (he warns he may vote against the new formula), salt awareness week (“we need to do much more”), the opening of the National Jazz Centre in Southend (“truly wonderful”) and social media comments(“I really do despair”).

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Conservative peer Lord Hannay complains there is no parliamentary process for approving and scrutinising the deal, other than a "binary" choice when such a deal is brought to Parliament for a vote by both Houses.

Minister Lord Bridges assures the peer there will be "ample opportunity" for scrutiny.

Yesterday, a six-page letter from Mrs May triggering Article 50 was handed to European Council President Donald Tusk by the UK's ambassador to the EU Sir Tim Barrow.  

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Liberal Democrat Spokeswoman Baroness Ludford said the bill is not "great", it is the "sneaky copy paste bill" and repeals nothing.

"My party demands for the British people to have the final say on the Brexit deal", she adds.

Minister Lord Bridges of Headley says he is keen to "consult with all members [of the House of Lords]" on the White Paper as it is "important we get it right".