HL Deb 22 May 2000 vol 613 cc62-3WA
Lord Pearson of Rannoch

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 8 May (WA 202), whether the United Kingdom would remain a member of the European Economic Area if it were to withdraw from the European Union. [HL2403].

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The EEA operates as a mechanism for applying the single market acquis to the EFTA states. The UK is an EEA member by virtue of being an EU member state. There is no provision in the EEA Agreement as to what status an EU member state would have under the Agreement if it chose to leave the EU.