Preparedness for a customs union with the European Union

Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Bill – in the House of Commons at 9:00 pm on 16 July 2018.

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Votes in this debate

“(1) It shall be one of the negotiating objectives of Her Majesty’s Government in negotiations on the matters specified in subsection (2) to create an agreement which allows the United Kingdom to secure tariff free access to the European Union including the potential to participate in a customs union with the European Union, following exit from the European Union.

(2) Those matters are—

(a) the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, and

(b) a permanent agreement with the European Union for a period subsequent to the transitional period after the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union.

(3) It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to lay a report before the House of Commons on the outcome of negotiations on each of the matters specified in subsection (2) in relation to the objective in subsection (1).

(4) A report under this section in relation to the matter specified in subsection (1)(a) shall include an account of—

(a) the extent to which the negotiating objective has been met,

(b) proposals for the commencement of provisions of Parts 1 and 2, and

(c) proposals for the modification of this Act in the exercise of powers under sections 31 or 54, or otherwise, in consequence of an agreement with the European Union.

(5) The provisions specified in section 55(1) come into force on the day after the day on which a report under subsection (4) is laid before the House of Commons.

(6) A report under this section in relation to the matter specified in subsection (1)(b) shall include an account of—

(a) the extent to which the negotiating objective has been met, and

(b) proposals for the modification of this Act in the exercise of powers under sections 31 or 54, or otherwise, in consequence of an agreement with the European Union.”—(Peter Dowd.)

This new clause establishes a negotiating objective to secure an agreement which allows the United Kingdom to have tariff free access to the European Union including the potential to participate in a customs union with the European Union, following exit from the European Union, and makes associated provision about reporting and implementation and modification of the Bill as enacted.

Brought up.

Question put, That the clause be added to the Bill.

The House divided:

Ayes 289, Noes 316.

Division number 208 Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Bill: Report Stage New Clause 11

Aye: 289 MPs

No: 316 MPs

Aye: A-Z by last name

Tellers

No: A-Z by last name

Tellers

Question accordingly negatived.

New Clause 13