LONDON - Theresa May's government should set out its position on Britain's post-Brexit membership of the European single market by mid-February, a parliamentary committee said in a report Saturday.
In its first report, the Exiting the European Union Committee called for transitional arrangements on trade, no return to tariffs for British businesses, and parliamentary vote on final Brexit deal.
The report has been published as May is expected to give a major speech next Tuesday to outline her plan for negotiating Britain's exit from the EU.
MPs on the cross-party committee concluded that the government should publish its Brexit plan by mid-February at the latest. This, it said, should set out its position on membership of the single market and the customs union.
The report added that government ministers should also seek an outline framework on Britain's future trading relationship with the EU as part of the Article 50 negotiations, including appropriate transitional arrangements, if it is not possible to reach a final agreement by the time when Britain leaves the EU.
The committee also wanted the government to commit to parliament having a vote on the final deal with Brussels.
Labour MP Hilary Benn, who chairs the committee, said: "This is going to be a hugely complex task and the outcome will affect us all. The government needs to publish its Brexit plan by mid-February at the latest, including its position on membership of the Single Market and the Customs Union, so that it can be scrutinized by parliament and the public." (Xinhua)