HC Deb 07 January 2003 vol 397 cc135-6W
Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the clause in the EU draft constitution produced by the Convention on the Future of Europe requiring member states to do everything to further the aims of the EU. [88062]

Mr. MacShane

The draft Constitutional Treaty of the Praesidium of the Convention on the Future of Europe is an outline for discussion by the Convention. It has a clause which 'sets out the obligation of loyal co-operation of Member States vis-a-vis the Union'. The principle exists in the present Treaties (Article 10 of the Treaty on European Community and Article 11(2) the Treaty on European Union).

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the current draft of the European Constitution produced by the Convention on the Future of Europe contains a clause requiring a member state to join the euro. [88063]

Mr. MacShane

The draft Constitutional Treaty of the Praesidium of the Convention on the Future of Europe does not contain a clause requiring Member States to join the Euro. The UK would not agree to a constitution that would compel us to join the Euro. The Government would only recommend membership of the Euro if it is in the national economic interest and the economic case is clear and unambiguous.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish(a) the latest draft EU constitution produced by the Convention on the Future of Europe and (b) the UK response. [88064]

Mr. MacShane

The Praesidium of the Convention on the Future of Europe's draft Constitutional Treaty is publicly available. It can be accessed through their website at http://european-convention.eu.int/. It is a basis for further discussion by the Convention.