HL Deb 28 April 1994 vol 554 cc47-8WA
Lord Stoddart of Swindon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to their reply of 30 March (H.L. Deb., col. WA53), how quickly the Council of Ministers would have to amend the qualified majority article if it became clear that one or more of the applicants for membership of the European Union had decided not to proceed with their application.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

Article 2 of the draft Accession Treaty provides for the Treaty to come into force on 1 January 1995 for those states which have deposited their instruments of ratification, even if one or more of the applicant states fail to ratify it. In such an event, Article 2 requires that, immediately following the Treaty's entry into force, the Council shall decide by unanimity on the necessary adjustments to the affected Articles of the Act of Accession, including those amending the provisions of the Community Treaties on qualified majority voting (Articles 13 and 15).