New Partnership with the EU

Henry Smith Excerpts

Tuesday 17th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davis]

What the hon. Gentleman will understand better than most is that once we have exited the European Union, every change in law will be subject to this Parliament’s decision.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

I very much welcome the Prime Minister’s speech today, and indeed my right hon. Friend’s statement. Over the weekend, the New Zealand Prime Minister visited London and expressed a desire for a trade deal, and US President-elect Trump also wants a swift deal with the UK. There seems to be some confusion, so can my right hon. Friend confirm that we cannot negotiate global free trade deals if we remain members of the customs union?

[Mr Davis]

My hon. Friend is exactly right. The common commercial policy prevents us from making such deals, which is why we have come to the conclusion that we have.