HC Deb 20 March 1978 vol 946 cc463-4W
Mr. Lee

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times the United Kingdom has exercised its powers to veto over Common Market directives since 31st December 1972.

Mr. Judd

As has often been explained in the House, it is the Council's practice to continue discussion of important questions of policy until there is sufficient area of agreement to enable a decision to be taken by consensus. The Council thus seldom resorts to formal voting, except on budgetary matters; and although the United Kingdom has insisted on modifications to proposals which other member States could accept, it has not been necessary to exercise a formal veto.