Treaty of Rome

HC Deb 02 May 1977 vol 931 cc16-7W

Mr. Arnold

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will specify the steps which must be undertaken to secure amendments to the Treaty of Rome; and how many member countries have to concur in any proposed amendment.

Mr. Judd

Article 236 of the Treaty, the text of which is available in the Library, readsThe Government of any Member State or the Commission may submit to the Council proposals for the amendment of this Treaty. If the Council, after consulting the Assembly and, where appropriate, the Commission, delivers an opinion in favour of calling a conference of representatives of the Governments of the Member States, the conference shall be convened by the President of the Council for the purpose of determining by common accord the amendments to be made to this Treaty. The amendments shall enter into force after being ratified by all the Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements".