§ Lord Pearson of Rannochasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the reply given by the Leader of the House on 14 December 1998 (H.L. Deb., col. 1138) and to the Written Answer by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 18 January (WA89–90), why it would be "profoundly damaging" for the United Kingdom to stay in the European Common Market but to leave the rest of the Treaty of Rome.(HL1735)
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanMembership of the EU is vital to our current and future prosperity. Nearly 60 per cent. of the goods we export go to our EU partners. The Single Market gives the UK the equivalent of a domestic market of 370 million customers. If we were to withdraw from the EU, there is no guarantee that we would be able to negotiate unhindered access to the Single Market. A huge number of jobs could be at risk. Our clout in international trade negotiations and our standing in the world would be severely damaged.
Membership of the EU provides many other, non-economic, benefits. For example, citizens of the EU countries have a right to choose where they want to work within the EU. European co-operation on measures against organised crime, drug smuggling, racism and illegal immigration are helping to make the UK a safer society. Participation in the Common Foreign and Security Policy gives the UK a greater influence in world affairs.
For these reasons the Government do not plan to withdraw from the EU. On the contrary, they remain convinced that active and constructive membership is in the best interests of the British people.
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