Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what instructions they have given to ensure that UK representatives in the EU Committee of Permanent Representatives (1) do not commit the UK to any new policies prior to withdrawal from the EU, and (2) facilitate a swift and effective withdrawal from the EU.

Officials at the UK Permanent Representation act on the basis of Ministerial instructions, which will continue to be the case in the run up to and throughout the period of negotiations to exit the EU. The UK remains a full member of the EU until our leave withdrawal is completed. Consequently, rights and obligations in the EU Treaties and other EU law continue to apply until that time.