§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the outcome of the European Council of 10 and 11 December indicating the voting record of each member of state on each item and where no formal votes were taken.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement I made following the European Council on 13 December. The task of the European Council, as set out in the treaty on European union, is to provide the union with the necessary impetus for its development and to define general political guidelines. It does not vote; its decisions are taken by consensus. Legislative decisions under the treaties are taken by the Council of Ministers.