§ Miss KirkbrideTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise the extension of qualified majority voting at the next inter-governmental conference. [99962]
§ Mr. Robin CookThe Cologne European Council in June agreed that the possible extension of qualified majority voting would be on the agenda for the next IGC.
Our own position on QMV is clear. We are happy to look at extension on a case-by-case basis. Where QMV is in Britain's interests, we will support it. But where key areas of national interest are at stake, such as Treaty change, border controls, defence or taxation, we will insist on retaining unanimity.