Clause 30: Approval of extension of implementation period

319 This clause sets out the parliamentary process to approve any extension of the implementation period. Its purpose is to provide for a clear process of parliamentary oversight. It is inserted into the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 as new section 13B.

320 Subsection (1) establishes parliamentary oversight and approval of any Government decision agreeing to an extension of the implementation period in the Joint Committee established by the Withdrawal Agreement. It sets out that in advance of a Minister agreeing to an extension of the implementation period in the Joint Committee:

a. a Minister must lay before each House of Parliament a statement setting out the length and any appropriate details of the proposed extension, and

b. the House of Commons must pass a motion approving the extension and the House of Lords must consider a motion to take note of the statement (although the Minister may agree to an extension in the Joint Committee if the House of Lords has not concluded a debate on the take note motion within five Lords sitting days of the House of Commons passing the motion approving the proposed extension).