Charter of Fundamental Rights

HC Deb 13 November 2000 vol 356 cc452-3W

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his policy towards COM(2000)644. [135578]

Mr. Vaz

I have been asked to reply.

COM(2000)644 is a Commission Communication, published on 11 October, "on the legal nature of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union".

The Commission advocates that the Charter should be incorporated in the Treaties of the European Union. The Government reject this view, and incorporation will not happen unless all member states agree.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) on 2 November 2000, Official Report, columns 555-56W.