§ Lord Shore of Stepneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 11 February (WA 36–37), on what issues the United Kingdom sought to invoke the Luxembourg Compromise in July 1978 and May 1982; whether the United Kingdom Government were successful; and, if not, what were the grounds on which the United Kingdom's application was refused. [HL1134]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanIn July 1978 the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said that he could not accept a majority decision on fisheries agreements with Sweden and the Faroes because our fundamental national interest was affected. The German Presidency therefore did not push the issue to a vote.
At the May 1982 Agriculture Council the United Kingdom attempted to prevent a vote on that year's 172WA price package because of its effect on our net contribution to the Community budget. Some member states argued that the Compromise could only be invoked if it related to the subject directly under discussion. The Belgian Presidency then proceeded to a vote.