EU Membership: Withdrawal

HL Deb 11 January 2000 vol 608 cc96-7WA

Lord Pearson of Rannoch

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why, given that the treaties governing NATO and the World Trade Organisation specifically provide for the free and unilateral withdrawal of member states from those organisations, no such provision exists in the treaties governing membership of the European Union. [HL331]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

We see no need for the Treaties governing membership of the Union to include a specific provision on unilateral withdrawal. It remains open to Parliament to repeal the European Communities Act 1972, the logical consequence of which would be to withdraw from the EU. The terms of such a withdrawal would be for the Government to negotiate with the other member states.