HC Deb 23 June 1975 vol 894 c42W
Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times before and after United Kingdom entry the veto has been used by member States in the Council of Ministers; and if he will give details of dates and subjects involved.

Mr. Robin F. Cook

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those occasions since 1965 on which a member of the European Community has exercised a veto on the Council of Ministers.

Mr. Hattersley

In practice the Council has in recent years only rarely resorted to formal voting procedures—for example, when establishing the budget. The question of formal vetoes has not arisen, because the practice of the Council is to continue discussion of questions of policy until there is sufficient area of agreement to enable a consensus to emerge.