Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the position paper, Continuity in the availability of goods for the EU and the UK, published on 21 August 2017, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the withdrawal agreement with the EU potentially resulting in the invalidity of EU compliance activities before withdrawal day for goods placed on the market after withdrawal day.

The UK position paper ‘Continuity in the availability of goods for the EU and the UK’ was published following discussion and agreement with other Government Departments, including the Scotland Office. We will continue to work with other Government departments to inform our negotiating position as discussions with the EU progress. The Department is actively considering all options in order to minimise disruption for businesses and avoid the introduction of new regulatory barriers. My officials are in contact with their counterparts in the Scottish Government on issues relating to the movement of goods following the UK’s exit from the EU. We will continue to work with other Government departments, including the Scotland Office, to inform our approach.