HC Deb 08 July 2003 vol 408 c671W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department's vote in the Council of Ministers against a legislative proposal(a) was sufficient and (b) was not sufficient to achieve with other member states a blocking minority. [117207]

Mr. Bradshaw

The Department does not hold information in the form requested in parts(a) and (b) prior to 1999. The information could be assembled only at disproportionate cost.

On no occasion since 1999 was the vote by this Department or its predecessors against a legislative proposal sufficient to achieve with other member states a blocking minority.

On three occasions since 1999 the vote against a legislative proposal by this Department and its predecessors was not sufficient to achieve with other Member States a blocking minority.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department indicated dissent from a proposal in the Council of Ministers but did not register a vote or abstention. [117268]

Mr. Bradshaw

The Department does not hold information in the form requested prior to 1999. The information is not held centrally or electronically and could only be assembled at disproportionate cost.

On no occasion since 1999 has this Department or its predecessors indicated dissent from a proposal in the Council of Ministers but did not register a vote or abstention.