HC Deb 10 July 2003 vol 408 c991W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department's vote in the Council of Ministers against a legislative proposal(a) was and (b) was not sufficient to achieve with other member states a blocking minority; [117209]

(2) on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department abstained in the Council of Ministers on a legislative proposal which was passed by qualified majority voting; [117230]

(3) on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department has been outvoted by qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers; and if he will list the legislation by year; [117242]

(4) 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. [117257]

Mr. Lammy

On no occasion in the period in question has a measure in the area of responsibility of the former Lord Chancellor's Department been adopted against the wishes of the United Kingdom delegation, nor has it been necessary to participate in a blocking minority in the Council of Ministers.