HC Deb 12 January 2004 vol 416 c526W
Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mechanism the European Union has to expel a member state. [146711]

Mr. MacShane

There is no mechanism in the EU's Treaties for the expulsion of a member state. There is however provision in Article 7 TEU for the suspension of a member state's voting rights, though its obligations under the Treaty would still continue to be binding.