To carry out its constitutional function effectively in regard to the scrutiny of international agreements, it is not enough for Parliament to be involved only at the end of the process. A new approach to conceptualising international negotiations and international agreements needs to be developed in the UK whereby Parliament is involved throughout the process or ‘lifecycle’ of an international agreement, from early considerations on whether to open negotiations, through the negotiation round...

To carry out its constitutional function effectively in regard to the scrutiny of international agreements, it is not enough for Parliament to be involved only at the end of the process. A new approach to conceptualising international negotiations and international agreements needs to be developed in the UK whereby Parliament is involved throughout the process or ‘lifecycle’ of an international agreement, from early considerations on whether to open negotiations, through the negotiation rounds themselves, and on to indications of consent (for example, by way of a formal vote on whether or not to approve treaty), and then beyond, into implemen Type: conclusion | Number: 26 | Response status: under_consideration Government response: noting that: (a) existing parliamentary mechanisms, supported by the work of the designated treaties committee, should be sufficient to provide effective scrutiny; and (b) mandates for treaties should not be subject to parliamentary approval. These issues w