§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the formal treaty revision which the Foreign Affairs Council of 5 February agreed to propose through the agency of the Irish Government will be subject to majority vote; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaudeAll amendments to the treaty of Rome must be agreed unanimously by member states and ratified by national Parliaments. The discussion at the FAC on 5 February was on a procedural technicality to put into effect the Strasbourg presidency conclusions on convening an intergovernmental conference.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Hughes) of 8 February,Official Report, column 717, why the Foreign Affairs Council on 5 February agreed that the Irish Government should table a formal treaty revision proposal; what is the general purpose of the proposed treaty provision; and if he agreed to the proposed treaty revision proposal on behalf of Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. MaudeThe Foreign Affairs Council on 5 February considered the procedural technicalities required to give effect to the relevant conclusions of the Strasbourg European Council, in particular the requirement to obtain an opinion from the European Parliament.
The President of the European Council at Strasbourg noted that the necessary majority existed to convene a 15W conference charged with preparing an amendment of the treaty with a view to the final stages of EMU. We have made it clear that, though we believe the convening of the intergovernmental conference was premature, we will nevertheless participate in it.