David Davis says UK would accept Brexit transition deal 'if necessary'
The Secretary of State for leaving the EU says Government plans for divorce proceedings will not be made public before February.
Wednesday 14 December 2016 22:09, UK
David Davis has said he would accept a transitional deal to implement the terms of Brexit "only if it's necessary".
The Brexit Secretary said that while people in the UK want the withdrawal from the EU to be "done properly and soon", a transition phase could be a possibility.
Speaking in front of the , chaired by former shadow foreign secretary MP Hilary Benn, Mr Davis said the Government's plan for Brexit would not be published before February.
Answering questions from the cross-party committee for the first time, Mr Davis said he hoped to achieve "maximum" market access for British companies with minimum disruption.
He said he would be keeping open as many negotiating options as possible.
During the meeting, Mr Davis indicated that the Government is working on four possible outcomes from the Brexit talks in relation to the European Customs Union.
These range from being fully or partially inside the Union, to having a free trade agreement and customs arrangement with the remaining EU, to being "completely outside".
Chancellor Philip Hammond said earlier this week to avoid the shock of a sudden switch, as it could cause financial instability.
Mr Davis said a transitional arrangement meant "many things to different people".
He added: "An implementation phase? If it is necessary and only if it is necessary.
"But the British people want this done with some degree of expedition, they want it done properly and soon and that is what we are trying to do."
MPs voted last week for the Brexit plan to be made public before the triggering of two-year withdrawal talks under Article 50,
Asked when MPs and voters can expect to see the plan, Mr Davis said: "As soon as we can, once all of the research and policy is completed."
He said the policy work was still under way and that there are "quite a few decisions still to be made".