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Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay has promised the government will comply with the "Benn Act" aimed at preventing a no-deal Brexit.

The Benn Act requires Prime Minister Boris Johnson to write a letter to the EU seeking a Brexit extension to January 31 next year if a deal hasn't been sealed by Saturday's special sitting of Parliament.

And asked on Tuesday by Hilary Benn himself if the government would follow this, Mr Barclay said: "The government will comply with the law."

He told the Exiting the European Union committee, which was being chaired by Mr Benn: "I can confirm, as the Prime Minister has repeatedly set out, that firstly the government will comply with the law, and secondly it will comply with undertakings given to the court in respect of the law."

But Mr Barclay refused to answer directly when asked to guarantee Britain can't leave on the current October 31 deadline if Mr Johnson does send the letter and an extension is granted.

"You're, I think, getting several steps ahead. I think the key issue before is are we able to reach an agreement?"

He went on: "The issues before us today, from a government point of view, is how do we deliver a deal and leave the EU in a smooth and orderly way. Because the Prime Minister and the government is absolutely committed to leaving on October 31."

As frantic negotiations continue in Brussels ahead of Thursday and Friday's key EU summit, Mr Barclay also said the government has submitted draft texts for the political declaration with the EU.

Asked if the government is discussing a revised political declaration with the EU, Mr Barclay said: "Yes we are."

He was then asked if draft texts have been submitted and he replied: "We have submitted draft texts as part of the negotiations on a number of aspects under discussion."

Mr Barclay also promised Mr Johnson's revised proposal, once it reaches the Commons, will be "deliverable" compared to Theresa May's much-maligned Withdrawal Agreement, which was rejected three times.