§ 12. Mr. CameronTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received about keeping the British veto in the areas covered by the draft European Constitution; and if he will make a statement. [123877]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe Government have received many representations on the Convention's proposals. We look forward to receiving many more once the final text of the Convention's draft is published in the next few days. More QMV is essential to push through our solutions to Europe-wide problems in key areas, such as asylum and immigration. But there are areas on which we would not be prepared to move from unanimity. We would not agree to any changes on foreign policy, defence, taxation or social security which threatened the national interest.