Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to page 32, paragraphs A.8 and A.9 of Annex A of the White Paper, Legislating for the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, which general principles of EU law will continue to apply to the UK in any future relationships with the EU.

The Government’s approach is that the Great Repeal Bill will convert current EU law into domestic law wherever practicable, ensuring a functioning statute book on exit. It is essential that there is a common understanding of what the law means. The Government believes that this is best achieved by providing for continuity in how that law is interpreted before and after exit day. That includes interpretation in light of the general principles of EU law, such as fundamental rights, proportionality and legal certainty.

After we leave the EU, Parliament will be free to change the law where it decides it is right to do so. The terms of the UK’s future relationship with the EU will be a matter for negotiations.