Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reason he has withdrawn the European University Institute (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

The UK’s EU membership is inextricably linked to its current membership of the European University Institute Convention (EUIC). As a result of EU Exit, the UK will no longer be an EU member state and so, in a ‘no deal’ scenario, the UK’s membership of the EUIC will automatically cease on 29 March 2019. In a 'deal' scenario, the UK’s membership of this convention will continue for the duration of the implementation period.

The Political Declaration sets out that we will establish general principles, terms and conditions for UK participation in EU programmes in areas of shared interest, and wider dialogues to allow us to share best practice and act together in our mutual interest. On this basis, we will explore with the European University Institute (EUI) options for future participation in its activities and we will work to ensure that UK students at the EUI will be able to complete their studies.

The EUI (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, submitted on 7 February, were withdrawn because of a minor terminology error in the accompanying Explanatory Memorandum (the exact name of the instrument). They were resubmitted in corrected form on 19 February.