House of Commons
Parliament

Labour MP Yvette Cooper asks: "If there is no deal in place by 29 March, does he agree the default position cannot be to leave without a deal?"

Mr Gove replies: "That is what the motion today is designed to assert and I hope people will support it."

He reiterates that the only way to take no deal off the table completely would be to revoke Article 50 or to conclude an agreement.

"That is an inescapable fact and that is why we face a series of unattractive choices."

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Independent MP Sylvia Hermon urges MPs to consider the warning issued by the head of the civil service in Northern Ireland about the "grave consequences" to Northern Ireland if there is a no deal.

Michael Gove says no deal could lead to "the very real possibility of imposing a form of direct rule."

"That is a grave step," he says.

The Labour MP for Denton & Reddish and Shadow Secretary of State Communities & Local Government Andrew Gwynne tweets his apologies.

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Parliament

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Charlie Elphicke, the Tory MP for Dover, says his local authority wants an inspection post to be built "just outside" the port, but Mr Gove's department is insisting it has to be inside.

He calls on the Environment Secretary to show more flexibility.

"My department has been flexible and will continue to be flexible", Mr Gove replies.

Katya Adler says the EU's working assumption is that the prime minister will ask for an extension ahead of the EU leaders summit next Thursday.

There is a rumour that Conservative former minister Caroline Spelman will not put her amendment to a vote later.

Her amendment - one of two selected by the Speaker - rejects a no-deal Brexit at any time and under any circumstances.

After the debate, MPs who have tabled amendments can decide not to put them to a vote.

Earlier, BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said he understood that the government was going to whip against the amendment.

Labour MP Angela Eagle tweets:

And PoliticsHome editor tweets:

The Malthouse amendment is one of two selected for debate by the Speaker John Bercow.

It sets out the process for a "managed no-deal".

But Prisons minster Rory Stewart says it won't address the fundamental issues that need to be addressed.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

A no deal Brexit would create "very challenging circumstances" says Michael Gove.

"None of us can be blithe or blasé about those challenges," he adds.

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative MP Ken Clarke asks Michael Gove to confirm that MPs are today voting on ruling out leaving on 29 March.

"And that we are ruling out the complete collapse of our trading arrangements with the continent which we have built over the years," he says.

Mr Gove says the MP is correct but adds that he would not use the same type of language to describe the situation.

"The motion commits the government not to leave the EU on 29th March without a withdrawal agreement," he says.

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Parliament

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Former Tory MP Anna Soubry picks up on Michael Gove's comment that the government motion doesn't take the option of "no deal off the table".

"The cat's now out of the bag", she says. She asks whether the government is offering a free vote on amendment f but instructing its MPs to vote against amendment a (see below for further explanation).

He says he now knows what it's like to be cross-examined by Ms Soubry - a former barrister - but quips: "I also understand why lawyers are paid by the hour".

"Repeatedly I worked pro bono - as many criminal barristers have to do under his cuts", she retorts.

The World at One
BBC Radio 4

Laura Kuenssberg
BBC political editor

I know the idea that cabinet ministers stick to a script is deeply old fashioned.

But for a chancellor to stand right in front of a prime minister and, even obliquely, tell them to change course, as Chancellor Philip Hammond has just done in his Spring Statement, is quite something.

Mr Hammond's remarks might, in fact, be a step towards so-called indicative votes in the Commons, where a range of potential plans are presented to MPs - and maybe soon.

Some ministers have argued privately for that for some time, although it's been frowned on by Number 10.

His remarks may delight some of his colleagues, who believe "reasonable Remainer" MPs have been locked out of the process for too long.

Read more from Laura here.

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative Edward Leigh asks for confirmation that, regardless of the vote this evening, the government will not take no deal completely off the table.

"Otherwise how will we get a better deal," he says.

Michael Gove tells MPs that he will vote for the motion tonight but notes that it does not take the no deal option off the table entirely.

That can only be done by revoking Article 50 or approving a deal, he says.