Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether the Government plans to publish a White Paper or a Green Paper including proposals for the negotiations for the leaving the EU before Article 50 is triggered.

When we trigger Article 50 we want people to be aware of our overall approach, to give as much certainty as possible, while at the same time not giving away our negotiating position. Parliamentary scrutiny is valuable but it cannot be about binding the Government’s hands in a negotiation. We welcome the unanimous conclusion of the Commons, "that this House recognises that leaving the EU is the defining issue facing the UK; believes that there should be a full and transparent debate on the Government’s plan for leaving the EU; and calls on the Prime Minister to ensure that this House is able properly to scrutinise that plan for leaving the EU before Article 50 is invoked; and believes that the process should be undertaken in such a way that respects the decision of the people of the UK when they voted to leave the EU on 23 June and does not undermine the negotiating position of the Government as negotiations are entered into which will take place after Article 50 has been triggered." We will engage with Parliament as appropriate.