HC Deb 25 June 1997 vol 296 cc545-6W
Mr. Blunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent measures affecting the United Kingdom's energy(a) sources and (b) supply will be subject to the qualified majority vote of all the members of the European Union. [5285]

Mr. Doug Henderson

Article 130s (2), which covers energy sources and supply, will remain subject to unanimity.

Mr. Blunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent qualified majority voting over regional policy was extended at the Inter-Governmental Conference at Amsterdam; and which countries(a) supported and (b) approved its extension. [5247]

Mr. Henderson

The voting rules for regional policy—articles 130 a—e—were not changed at Amsterdam. We cannot agree to publish the detailed views expressed by Heads of State and Government in a closed meeting.

Mr. Blunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent qualified majority voting was extended in respect of industrial policy at the Inter-Governmental Conference at Amsterdam. [5252]

Mr. Henderson

Article 130, the Industry title will remain subject to unanimity. However, it was agreed at Amsterdam that QMV should apply in respect of research and development policy.

Mr. Blunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent measures concerning(a) town and country planning, (b) land use and (c) management of United Kingdom water resources are subject to the qualified majority vote of all the members of the European Union. [5290]

Mr. Henderson

Article 130s(2), which covers town and country planning, land use, and management of water resources, will remain subject to unanimity.

Mr. Blunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent qualified majority voting over environmental policy at the Amsterdam Conference was extended. [5289]

Mr. Henderson

Qualified majority voting in the Environment Title was not extended at Amsterdam.

Mr. Blunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent qualified majority voting over social policy was extended at the Inter-Governmental Conference at Amsterdam. [5248]

Mr. Henderson

Voting arrangements in the current social agreement, now incorporated into the treaty, remain as before. Additions to the draft treaty include articles providing for measures to combat social exclusion (article 118.2), and on equality of opportunity and treatment of men and women (article 119.3). Decisions under these articles are to be taken by QMV.

Mr. Blunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries(a) opposed and (b) supported the extension of qualified majority voting on environmental policy. [5260]

Mr. Henderson

We cannot agree to publish the detailed views expressed by Heads of State and Government in a closed meeting.