§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government in relation to the treaty revision proposal which the Foreign Affairs Council agreed on 5 February should be submitted to the European Council on amendments to the treaty in relation to the final phases of European monetary union; and if she will seek to clarify the implications for the United Kingdom of the treaty proposal before the meeting of the European Council.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Foreign Affairs Council on 5 February concluded that the Irish Government should table a treaty revision proposal, based on the relevant conclusions of the Strasbourg European Council. The opinion of the European Parliament is required on the question of convening an IGC under article 236 of the treaty of Rome. This was a procedural technicality to put into effect the Strasbourg presidency conclusions.
The President of the European Council at Strasbourg noted that the necessary majority existed to convene a conference charged with preparing an amendment of the treaty with a view to the final stages of EMU. The Government have made it clear we believe that the convening of the IGC was premature, but that we will nevertheless participate in it.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Prime Minister if she will take steps to ensure that Parliament is fully advised of the outcome of meetings of the various Councils of Ministers; and if she will make a further statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 5 February.
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend will be aware that it is normal practice for the outcome of meetings of the Council of Ministers to be reported promptly to the House.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 8 February, Official Report, columns 716–17, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which gave a full report on the meeting to which my hon. Friend refers.