HC Deb 08 December 2003 vol 415 cc244-5W
Mr. Cash

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he plans to have with the Foreign Ministers of(a) Denmark, (b) Germany and (c) Italy regarding the declaration in the draft proposals agreed in Naples relating to the primacy, under Article 110 of the draft European Constitution, of the Constitution over their respective constitutions. [142429]

Mr. MacShane

The Presidency has proposed a 'Declaration for incorporation in the final Act with regard to article I-10 (1)'. It states that,The Conference notes that the provisions of Article I-10 (1) reflect existing Court of Justice case law. The proposal has not been agreed, but will be discussed at the European Council on 12–13 December, in which the Foreign Ministers of all the States mentioned will participate.

Mr. Cash

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications for the United Kingdom(a) Parliament and (b) Courts of the Declaration at Annex 2 of the proposals agreed in Naples on the primacy of European Union law as set out in Article I-10 (1) of the draft European Constitution. [142612]

Mr. MacShane

The proposed Declaration provides confirmation that the provisions of Article I-10 (1) reflect existing European Court of Justice case law. If agreed it would state the common intention and understanding of all the participating States that Article I-10 (1) has this meaning and should be interpreted accordingly.

Mr. Carmichael

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to ensure that reference is made in the European Constitution to territorial cohesion. [142404]

Mr. MacShane

The draft EU Constitutional Treaty contains provisions on territorial cohesion. The Government are content with these.