§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his written answer of 16 June 2003,Official Report, column 63W, on the EU White Paper, what discussions he expects to occur prior to the next meeting of the European Council; who is expected to preside over its proceedings; and whether Her Majesty's Government will present a provisionally agreed European Constitution for ratification by Parliament. [126546]
§ The Prime MinisterThe Convention on the Future of Europe presented parts I and II of its draft Constitutional Treaty to the European Council at Thessaloniki (19–20 June). The European Council agreed that the draft Treaty represents a good basis for starting negotiations at the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), which will be convened in October 2003. It will be conducted by representatives of the member states and the 10 acceding states. They will take final decisions on a Constitutional Treaty for the European Union by common accord. As with previous EU Treaties, Parliament will have the opportunity to debate it and pass the legislation required to give effect to it before it is ratified.