HC Deb 09 November 1999 vol 337 c486W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if it is the Government's policy to support, at the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference, extension of qualified majority voting to include treaty modification; and if he will make a statement; [96570]

(2) if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on the extension of qualified majority voting, set out in the Von Weizsäcker/Dehaene/Simon report. [96577]

The Prime Minister

The Government have already made it clear that they will consider the extension of qualified majority voting on a case by case basis. Where it is in Britain's interests we shall support it. But where key national interests need to be protected, such as border controls, defence, Treaty change and taxation, we shall insist on retaining unanimity.