House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative Ben Bradley laments that "there's nobody over that side" contributing to the debate, gesturing to the Labour benches.

He says proposals for the nuclear industry after Brexit have been met with "hysteria" by the opposition.

He praises sensible provision for what happens "if we leave without a deal which nobody wants, blah blah blah".

Image source, Science Photo Library

Euratom regulates the nuclear industry across Europe, safeguarding the transport of nuclear materials, disposing of waste, and carrying out research. It was set up in 1957 alongside the European Economic Community (EEC), which eventually morphed into the EU. The 1957 treaty established a "nuclear common market" to enable the free movement of nuclear workers and materials between member states.

Given that Euratom was explicitly mentioned in the Article 50 letter, any reversal of withdrawal would be difficult, and an act of Parliament would probably not be enough.

Changing or reversing the UK's withdrawal from Euratom would probably need to be done formally by the government. If that were to happen, it would raise another contentious legal question - whether the notification of withdrawal from the EU can be amended or revoked. The government really does not want to open that can of worms.

Read more.

House of Commons
Parliament

Mark Menzies, Conservative MP for Fylde, says nuclear fuel manufacture in his constituency puts it "at the heart of the British nuclear industry".

He acknowledges "there initially was some concern" but adds that he has been "deeply reassured" that the government will seek associate membership of Euratom if possible and a suitable arrangement if not.

House of Lords
Parliament

That's that from the House of Lords for tonight.

Peers return tomorrow afternoon and will debate the future of Channel 4 and the effect of Brexit on farming.

Image source, HoL

House of Lords
Parliament

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

Winding up for Labour, Lord Collins of Highbury says the aborted talks were seen as the "best chance" of moving towards a settlement. He says his party's position is that they support "all efforts" to secure an agreement, and that divisions in Cyprus "can only be resolved" by both parties working together.

Foreign Office Minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon says that it is "extremely disappointing" that the talks this summer failed, because "a united federal Cyprus could change lives".

He praises all parties involved in the talks which, he says, "brought us closer than ever to a historic agreement". He says both communities in Cyprus will have to live with "insecurity a little longer...but it need not be forever".

He emphasises that the while the UK, along with the rest of the international community, does not recognise the government of northern Cyprus it does support the economic development of the people of northern Cyprus via a number of projects as preparation for reunification.

House of Lords
Parliament

Conservative Lord Balfe says northern leaders could accept division because "it is not the only island that is divided", citing Ireland as an example.

He says that if the Cypriot government won't negotiate "so be it".

Lib Dem Baroness Hussein-Ece says she has family in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus and says they are "tired" of being "isolated, of not having free trade, of being able to go overseas easily" and of being outside the international community.

She says that "unfortunately" a federal settlement with power sharing appears to "no longer be on the cards".

Conservative Lord McInnes of Kilwinning says it's "easy" to support a unified, multi-cultural Cyprus from the UK, but that there must be safeguards to avoid the minority community (in this case, Turkish Cypriots) leaving.

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative Simon Hoare says the debate on Euratom should not be seen as "a Brexit virility test".

He argues that "both sides want to see this bill delivered safely and through the proper procedures".

He also submits that like many voters he had no idea what Euratom was or what it did before the referendum.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, Getty Images

Lib Dem Layla Moran says despite the government's assurances, her physics background has taught her to apply scepticism.

She compares ministers to Dr Strangelove in Stanley Kubrick's film, saying that they are asking people to "stop worrying and learn to love Brexit".

House of Lords
Parliament

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

Peers are now taking part in a debate on the unification of Cyprus. In July talks between the leaders of the divided island collapsed amid "yelling and drama", external and disagreements about the withdrawal of Turkish troops.

Introducing the debate, Lib Dem Lord Sharkey says "the future of the people of the north looks bleak...isolated and impoverished" because until there is a unification deal they will continue to be outside of the international system.

The island is divided between the Turkish-controlled north, which is not recognised by the international community, and the Greek-speaking nation of Cyprus, which is an EU member. Turkey invaded the northern third of the island in 1974 in response to a military coup in Greece.

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative MP Kit Malthouse tells MPs "there is a world beyond the EU" and that we should be manufacturing isotopes here, not relying on other European countries to do so.

Malthouse, who campaigned for the UK to leave the European Union in last year's referendum says - "Euratom must not be part of Project Fear".

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Chair of the Business committee, Rachel Reeves rises to contribute to the debate.

"Nobody debated, considered or voted to leave Euratom on the 23 June 2016", she says.

Ms Reeves tells the House that many experts are "very concerned" about the decision to leave Euratom and she urges the government to ensure a transition period and to seek associate membership of the EU-wide body.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HofC

The SNP's spokesperson, Drew Hendry says the Bill falls "significantly short" of answering vital issues around the UK's nuclear future.

With some aspects of nuclear regulation devolved, he says Ministers are also showing "disregard" for the Scottish government.

"The Scottish government must be involved in decisions on Euratom," he says.

And he declares that the "safest nuclear power policy is no nuclear power".

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Conservative MP Ed Vaizey opens his remarks by saying it is "quite hard to keep up with the government" on this issue.

Euratom is "the single market for the nuclear industry", he says, and the UK's exit is collateral damage from the Brexit process.

Speaking of the "enormous benefits" Euratom has brought to the UK, Mr Vaizey asks the government for clarity on the future of nuclear research and development.

Our exit from the European atomic energy community is a case of "it's not you, its me", he quips.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Shadow Business Secretary Rebecca Long Bailey says it is not clear that the UK will have to leave Euratom and that doing so should be a "last resort".

She outlines the Labour Party's position - that continued membership or association with Euratom is possible.

Rebecca Long Bailey calls the legislation "barely fit for purpose" and says leaving Euratom would equate to "falling off a cliff".

Euratom regulates the nuclear industry across Europe, safeguarding the transport of nuclear materials, disposing of waste and carrying out research.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Conservative MP Huw Merriman asks about Southern rail and the problems that have plagued the rail route for almost two years.

Bexhill and Battle's representative describes himself as a "Southern Rail" MP.

Mr Grayling says the dispute is about "union muscle" and some of the leaders are "absolutely blinkered" to the use of new technology.

In September, the unions announced that a deal was ''close to being finalised'.

Southern Rail has been in a long-running dispute with two unions over working practices on driver-only-operated trains.

Image source, HofC

Senior Conservative Ken Clarke puts it to the Business Secretary Greg Clark that he's "yet to hear a rational reason" for the UK's departure from Euratom.

He goes on to say that it sets aside "all our previously satisfactory arrangements for nuclear safeguarding" and will cause "difficulties" around the UK's agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

He's cut off in full flow by the Deputy Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle who yells "order!" at Mr Clarke.

Mr Hoyle says Mr Clarke should be asking a question, instead of making a speech.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

MPs are commencing the second reading of the Nuclear Safeguards Bill, external, which provides for nuclear safeguards after the UK leaves the EU-wide body Euratom.

"Nuclear safeguards" refers to measures used to verify that countries comply with their international obligations not to employ nuclear materials for nuclear weapons.

Business Secretary Greg Clark tells MPs he is aiming for "the greatest possible continuity" and it's "right" to make contingency arrangements.

Select Committee
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Back to the transport committee where Labour MP Graham Stringer asks about the scrapping of rail electrification plans, namely the Midland Main line.

The transport secretary, Mr Grayling tells the committee the planned electrification between Nottingham and Sheffield would only have saved "a minute on the journey".

"Electrification works well in places, and in other places it works less well," he says.

In July, the government scrapped the planned electrification of railway lines in Wales, the Midlands and the North. Read more about this here.