HC Deb 15 December 1998 vol 322 cc460-1W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Prime Minister further to his reply of 16 November 1998,Official Report, column 371, if he will make a statement on what types of outside organisations Her Majesty's Government classes as relevant for inclusion in lists of recommended sources for further contact in official documents; and if he will consent to the listing of organisations opposed to closer European Union on Government-funded publications. [64109]

The Prime Minister

There are no set criteria concerning contact lists in UK Government publications about the European Union. The Government are keen to ensure that members of the public are given access to all relevant information. They do not list publications by political parties in source material, but would seek to include academic institutions. These may well have differing views on the development of the European Union.

Mr. Hayes

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) of 2 December 1998,Official Report, column 874, on the constitutional position of the United Kingdom in relation to the EU, if he will list the essential interests to which he referred. [64017]

The Prime Minister

Our essential interests are to maintain and enhance the security and prosperity of the UK, and to improve the quality of life of its citizens. We seek to protect and promote these interests through membership of the European Union.

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