HC Deb 03 November 1998 vol 318 cc472-3W
Mr. Colvin

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement on the proposed transfer of political powers from Her Majesty's Government to the WEU; [57918]

(2) if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the proposed transfer of military powers to the WEU. [57917]

The Prime Minister

This was an informal meeting of the Heads of Government at Pörtschach, in preparation for the full European Council in Vienna, at which a broad range of issues were discussed. No formal decisions were taken.

I refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave today, Official Report, column 473, to the hon. Member for Windsor (Mr. Trend). The Government have not proposed to transfer political or military powers to the WEU.

Mr. Trend

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if the proposals set out by Her Majesty's Government at Portschach on the establishment of a closer EU defence formation included extension of qualified majority voting; [58010]

(2) if he will make a statement on the differences between the proposals his Government set forward at Portschach on more integrated EU defence, and those established in the Treaty of Amsterdam; [58011]

(3) if he will list documents pertaining to the proposals of Her Majesty's Government to the Portschach Conference which his Government have distributed to other member states as regards closer defence co-operation. [58012]

The Prime Minister

This meeting of the Heads of Government was an informal meeting in preparation for the full European Council in Vienna, at which a broad range of issues were discussed. No formal decisions were taken.

At the meeting, I made clear my wish to see Europe examine ways of developing its defence identity. I did not put forward any detailed proposals and did not propose the extension of Qualified Majority Voting. The Government have not distributed any documents to other Member States of the European Union on closer defence co-operation. I stressed that NATO should remain the foundation of collective security. I made clear it that the starting point for discussion should be the 1996 Berlin decision on the European Security and Defence Identity and the Treaty of Amsterdam.