Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, for what reasons the UK Government rejected the Scottish Government's proposals for the UK to remain in the Single Market and Customs Union, as set out in its 2016 paper, Scotland's place in Europe.

The Prime Minister has been clear that we will be leaving the EU on 31 October whatever the circumstances. The people gave their instructions to Parliament in the referendum in 2016, and now we must deliver on that pledge.

The UK Government’s ambition is for an ambitious FTA, as sovereign equals, without obligation to vast alignment or harmonisation commitments. This will involve leaving the Customs Union and Single Market, in order to have full regulatory control so that we can be free to set our own laws and to strike trade deals.

The details of this partnership will be a matter for negotiation with the EU after we leave the European Union. We are preparing for that negotiation, and will work with a wide range of partners, including the devolved administrations, to ensure a successful outcome that delivers in the interests of all parts of the UK.