§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Prime Minister when and in what circumstances qualified majority voting was introduced into meetings of the European Council of Finance Ministers.
§ The Prime MinisterThe voting rules of the Council of Ministers are laid down in the EEC treaty and were therefore accepted by the United Kingdom on accession. The use of unanimous, qualified majority or simple majority voting is indicated in the individual articles which contain provisions for Council action. Finance Ministers' Councils follow the same voting rules as all others. Decisions on the budget are taken by qualified majority by virtue of article 203 of the treaty.