42 Acknowledged

We recommend that the Government adopt a more coherent, cross- Departmental approach to communicating progress...

Recommendation
We recommend that the Government adopt a more coherent, cross- Departmental approach to communicating progress made in the negotiations with the EU on the various agreements foreseen by the Common Understanding, and in particular refrain from referring to any 93 of these as being ‘secured’ or ‘agreed’ at least until political agreement on a particular draft treaty has been reached and announced. (Recommendation, Paragraph 113)
Government Response Summary
The government commits to being open and transparent in its engagement with Parliament regarding implementation of the Summit outcomes and further negotiations, citing examples of past engagement.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government Acknowledged
The Government takes its ongoing commitment to scrutiny very seriously – it is a vital part of the Government’s accountability to Parliament. We are committed to being open and transparent in our engagement with Parliament regarding implementation of the Summit outcomes and further negotiations to put into effect what the UK and EU have agreed, including through formal evidence sessions, correspondence and private briefings to this Committee. This was demonstrated ahead of the first UK-EU Summit, where the Minister for the Cabinet Office met with the Foreign Affairs Committee Chair and wrote to the Committee. Following the summit, Minister Doughty and the Minister for the Cabinet Office jointly appeared before the Committee to provide further insights and updates. The Prime Minister also made an Oral Statement to Parliament the day after the Summit, with Ministers continuing to make oral and written statements on progress in negotiations since. We will use the annual summit process to drive forward implementation of the Common Understanding, and will continue to be open and transparent in our engagement with Parliament regarding future Summits.