§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review the operation of the Luxembourg convention with regard to the use of the veto at Council of Ministers meetings; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. HurdThe Government take an extremely serious view of the way in which the Luxembourg compromise was set aside at the Agriculture Council on Tuesday. We remain committed to supporting the principle of the compromise, the operation of which was set out in statements issued by the extraordinary session of the European Council on 28 and 29 January 1966. Since then it has been the consistent practice of the Community over 16 years to resolve matters where very important national interests are at stake by unanimity. There cannot be a situation in which a rule operates to the benefit of some members of the Community but not of others.
§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he now proposes to take to protect British interests in the light of the failure of the Council of Ministers to reach a unanimous agreement on the farm price review for 1982 and the breakdown of the Luxembourg convention; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdThe Government take an extremely serious view of the way in which the Luxembourg compromise was set aside at the Agriculture Council on Tuesday. We will not be rushed into hasty action. Much will depend upon decisions taken by the rest of the Community over the next few days.