UK govt plans to give lawmakers a say on Brexit way forward this week -minister

The British government will provide time for parliament to debate the way forward on Brexit later this week if an attempt by lawmakers to wrest control of the process does not pass on Monday, Cabinet Office minister David Lidington said. Lawmakers will seek to use a vote on the government's next steps on Brexit later on Monday to change the rules of parliament on March 27 in order to provide time for lawmakers to debate and vote on alternative ways forward on Brexit.

Lidington, Prime Minister Theresa May's de facto deputy, has promised the government will carry out a similar process. "The government would seek to provide government time in order for this process to proceed. If the amendment ... does not pass tonight, we would set aside time to have a first day’s debate later this week," Lidington told parliament.

He added that the government would not be silent on what options it preferred. (Reporting by Elizabeth Piper and Andrew MacAskill, Writing by Kylie MacLellan)