§ Lord Harrisonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many times the veto has been used by the European Union member states, including the United Kingdom, on single market issues in the last 10 years; and by which member states. [HL4791]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe Council Secretariat does not hold figures on the number of times member states have used the veto on single market issues, and the figures sought could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
However, few single market measures are now subject to unanimity, and the threat of the veto in this area is rare.
§ Lord Harrisonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How they intend to counter the use by other European Union member states of the national veto on single market legislation when the effect is to handicap British firms in the single European market. [HL4792]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalMost single market legislation is subject to qualified majority voting rather than unanimity. We support this, since QMV helps prevent other countries from blocking single market measures which benefit UK businesses.
The use of the veto on legislation relating to the single market is rare.