§ 13. Mr. Owen Paterson (North Shropshire)Which items Her Majesty's Government have ruled out for an extension of qualified majority voting at the intergovernmental conference; and if he will make a statement. [112881]
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Keith Vaz)The Government have made it clear on a number of occasions, in the House and in our White Paper on the intergovernmental conference, that we shall consider the possible extension of qualified majority voting on a case-by-case basis. When it is in Britain's interests to support QMV, we shall do so. However, when key national interests are at stake—such as treaty changes, border controls, social security, taxation, own resources and defence—we shall insist on retaining unanimity.
§ Mr. PatersonWill the Government refuse to sign any treaty that extends QMV to cover any sphere of British taxation?