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Britain to trade under WTO rules if Europe rejects Brexit deal, MPs told

Xinhua, February 8, 2017 Adjust font size:

Politicians at Westminster were told for the first time Tuesday that they would have a final vote on Britain's Brexit deal before it is sent to Brussels for EU approval.

But the government's Brexit minister David Jones told the House of Commons that if London and Brussels cannot come to an agreement, Britain will fall back on other trading arrangements.

Pressed further, Jones said: "If there were no agreement at all, which I think is an extremely unlikely scenario, ultimately we would be falling back on World Trade Organisation arrangements."

Politicians in the Commons are discussing details of the government bill to pave the way for Prime Minister Theresa May to trigger the Article 50 process to kickstart Britain's departure from the European Union.

Opposition members of parliament (MPs) have put forward a string of amendments in the hope of winning concessions from May's government in the Brexit process.

One concession announced during Tuesday's session at Westminster came from Jones who said MPs and members of the House of Lords will be given a vote covering not only the EU withdrawal arrangements but also the future relationship with Brussels.

"I can confirm that the government will bring forward a motion on the final agreement, to be approved by both Houses of Parliament before it is concluded. We expect and intend that this will happen before the European Parliament debates and votes on the final agreement," said Jones.

Sir Keir Starmer, Labour's shadow Brexit secretary, said: "That is a huge and very important concession about the process that we are to embark on. What is significant is that it covers the Article 50 agreement and it covers any future relationship. That is the first time we have heard this. It is a very significant position by the Government."

Starmer described the negotiations that will take place under Article 50 as the most difficult, complex and important for decades, arguably, since the Second World War.

"Among other things, it is important that we ensure the best outcome for our economy and jobs, and the trading agreements. What that entails is very clear; we must have tariff-free and barrier-free access to the single market, regulatory alignment, and full access for services and goods." he said.

After the Brexit bill has cleared its way through the House of Commons Wednesday night, it will go to the House of Lords for more debate.

May is aiming to trigger Article 50 before the end of next month. Endit