§ Mr. Stanbrookasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government and what practice they follow when a veto is exercised by a member state on a matter for which the European Community treaties prescribe majority voting.
§ Mr. RifkindSuccessive British Governments have held the view that when a member state considers its very important interests to be at stake, discussion should be continued until unanimous agreement is reached. It is our practice to decline to participate in a vote where a member state has explicitly opposed this on grounds that its very important national interests are at stake.