§ Mr. LeighTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to ensure that a draft European constitution reflects Europe's religious heritage. [98042]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe EU is a multicultural group of States with a large non-Christian population.Britain is itself a multi-cultural and multi-faith society. Any reference in the EU's constitutional Treaty would need to reflect this diversity, which is one of the greatest strengths of both Britain and the EU. That said, it is difficult to see what such a Treaty reference would add.
427WArticle 10 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights already states that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.