TREATY ON EUROPEAN UNION: EFFECTS OF NEW ACCESSIONS

HL Deb 09 May 1994 vol 554 c81WA

Lord Tebbit

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In what manner the admission of any or all of the four nations currently seeking admission to the European Union will affect the provisions of Article J3–2 of Title V of the Treaty on European Union.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The only effect of admission of any or all of the applicants to the European Union on the provisions of Article J.3.2 of the Treaty on European Union would be to change the allocation of votes and the required majority. This is foreseen in Article 15 of the draft Act of Accession annexed to the draft Accession Treaty, which is in the Library of the House. If any of the applicant States fails to ratify, Article 2(2) of the draft Accession Treaty gives the Council power by unanimity to make the necessary adjustments, including to Article 15 of the draft Act of Accession.