Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many EU agencies of which the UK is a member the Government plans to replace with national or other agencies after the UK leaves the EU; and whether his Department has made an estimate of the cost of setting up those new agencies.

Our relationship with the EU's agencies upon exit will be evaluated in light of delivering the twelve objectives outlined by the Prime Minister to achieve a deep and special partnership between the UK and the EU. No decisions have yet been made on our future relationship with the EU's decentralised bodies after leaving the EU.

Prior to any decisions on establishing new agencies, the Government will, however, always look to minimise disruption and costs, which will include considering alternative options.

The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill makes clear that any decision on creating new agencies would require the approval of both Houses of Parliament under the affirmative procedure.