House of Commons
Parliament

Shadow Wales minister Gerald Jones highlights the possibility that the UK could "walk away without a trade deal" after Brexit negotiations, accusing ministers of "playing fast and loose with the Welsh economy".

Wales Secretary Alun Cairns insists they are seeking "the freest, most open trade agreement" and "investors are taking on our ambition". 

Select Committee
Parliament

Chair Baroness Prashar brings the committee to an end and thanks the minister for her time.

"We will see you when we return after the election," she says.

"You'll probably see me at questions in three hours time," suggests Baroness Williams.

And there the committee is adjourned. 

House of Commons
Parliament

The first question is from Labour's Stephen Kinnock, asking what assessment has been made of the effect on Wales of the UK leaving the EU. 

He warns it may have "a negative impact on jobs" and welcomes the building of a new prison in his constituency.

Wales Secretary Alun Cairns says "we will work to secure a deal which benefits all parts of the UK" and the prison will be a "boost" to the area. 

Select Committee
Parliament

Image source, HoL

Baroness Prashar asks how can we protect data sharing standards from outside the EU.

Baroness Williams says that countries in the EU have come to rely on the UK to set high standards.

She says it is in the interest of EU countries to maintain those high standards.

Select Committee
Parliament

Crossbencher Lord Jay of Ewelme asks if data-sharing with EU countries will be affected if the UK changes its legislation once Brexit has been completed.

Baroness Williams says it could be.

Lord Jay asks if the need to share data with the EU would be a factor when considering new legislation.

"We need to share data to keep the public safe," replies the minister. "That's a high priority".

Select Committee
Parliament

Image source, HoL

Crossbencher and former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lord Condon asks if transitional arrangements concerning data protection will be needed when the UK leaves the EU.

Baroness Williams says she can't give "a full response" but emphasises that a "smooth implementation" is in the interest of the UK and "every EU member state".

Labour's Lord Soley wonders what will happen if the EU change their rules at a later date thereby making the UK's rules incompatible.

That will have to be determined, she replies.

Select Committee
Parliament

Image source, HoL

Committee Chair Baroness Prashar begins by asking if the government is planning to implement the new EU rules.

Baroness Williams suggest that it is "very early" to speculate about future arrangements once the UK leaves the EU.

However, she says when it does the UK will be "a unique position" of being a "third country" that has fully implemented EU provisions data protection.

House of Commons
Parliament

MPs start the day with Wales questions at 11.30am and then at midday, Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn go head-to-head in the final prime minister's questions before the election. 

Then the SNP's Alan Brown will introduce a bill aiming to safeguard cash retentions in the construction industry, before MPs consider Lords' amendments to the Digital Economy Bill and the Criminal Finances Bill.

The adjournment debate will be led by Labour's Chris Evans, on the effect of diesel fumes in Islwyn.

Select Committee
Parliament

• The amount of money regulators can fine companies who do not comply with the legislation will be increased to 4% of their global turnover or 20m Euros whichever is greater.
• Large companies will be required to employ a data protection officer
• Data breaches must be reported within 72 hours
• The “right to be forgotten” will be extended beyond web searches allowing people to ask social networking sites for their profile to be deleted.

The legislation will apply to any company that handles EU citizens’ data 

Select Committee
Parliament

The members of the House of Lords EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee are: 

• Baroness Prashar (Chairman), Crossbench
• Baroness Browning, Conservative
• Lord Condon, Crossbench
• Lord Cormack, Conservative
• Baroness Janke, Liberal Democrat
• Lord Jay of Ewelme, Crossbench
• Baroness Massey of Darwen, Labour
• Lord O'Neill of Clackmannan, Labour
• Baroness Pinnock, Liberal Democrat
• Lord Ribeiro, Conservative
• Lord Soley, Labour
• Lord Watts, Labour

Select Committee
Parliament

Image source, Reuters

At 10:45am, the Lords' committee, the EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee, will hear evidence on the EU Data Protection Package. 

In December last year the European Parliament approved changes to the data protection laws – laws that were drawn up in 1995. 

The rules are expected to come into force in the summer and member states will have two years to comply. 

The committee is hearing evidence from Home Office Minister Baroness Williams of Trafford. 

Welcome to a busy day in Westminster, as the 2015 Parliament heads towards its final hours. 

Today's big event, of course, is the last PMQs clash between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn, before the general election on 8 June.

But before then, there's some work on committee corridor to follow. We'll have the day's events in the Commons and Lords here.