HC Deb 15 October 2001 vol 372 c976W
Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he expects a draft constitution for the European Union produced by one of the Union's institutions to be brought to the attention of Her Majesty's Government before the next IGC. [7426]

Peter Hain

The Prime Minister said in his speech in Warsaw last year thatthere is an important debate about a Constitution for Europe. In practice I suspect that, given the sheer diversity and complexity of the EU, its constitution, like the British constitution, will continue to be found in a number of different treaties, laws and precedents. It is perhaps easier for the British than for others to recognise that a constitutional debate must not necessarily end with a single, legally binding document called a Constitution for an entity as dynamic as the EU.

The Government have suggested that there could be a clear political statement of principals. Others will no doubt make their own contributions to this debate, and we will look at each proposal on its merits.