IMPORTANCE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

That this House supports the Lords Amendment No. 51 to the European Union (Withdrawal Bill) that seeks to ensure the Government negotiates, as part of the framework for the UK's future relationship with the EU, an international agreement which enables the UK to continue to participate in the European Economic Area after exit day; recognises that continued participation in the European Economic Area would retain full access to the EU's internal market, allowing the UK to continue to trade with the EU on a tariff-free basis; notes the overwhelming cross-party support this amendment received in the House of Lords; regrets the decision of the Labour frontbench in the House of Lords to abstain on this amendment; further regrets the decision of the Labour frontbench in this House to amend this amendment to dilute its impact and jeopardise the likelihood of Lords Amendment No. 51 from passing; and calls on the Government to to support this amendment to ensure it negotiates for the UK to remain a member of the European Economic Area following the UK's withdrawal from the EU.