§ 18. Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what practical measures will be taken to ensue that new countries are helped to join the European Community. [12131]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonThe European Commission has proposed reinforcing the pre-accession strategy for Central European applicants to the European Union. This should lead to better targeted financial and technical assistance to help the applicants prepare for EU membership. The European Council will adopt a position on these proposals at Luxembourg in December.
§ 30. Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the expansion of the European Union. [12145]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonI refer the hon. Member to the oral answer that I gave today to the hon. Member for West Lancashire (Mr. Pickthall).