HC Deb 22 June 1982 vol 26 c66W
Q6. Mr. Marlow

asked the Prime Minister whether she proposes to seek to restore the right of veto by the United Kingdom within the European Economic Community in accordance with the position described in the original White Paper dealing with accession to the Community.

The Prime Minister

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs reported to the House today about his discussion with our Community partners on 20 June about the question of Community decision-making procedures. In this discussion he received support from a number of member States for our view that the Community should continue the practice under which, where a member State considers that its important national interests are at stake, the discussion is continued until unanimous agreement is reached. This has been the established practice of the Community since 1966, as was noted in the 1971 White Paper, although it was never formally agreed by all member States. That remains the position.