Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Lidington and Gordon Henderson

Tuesday 6th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Gordon Henderson (Sittingbourne and Sheppey) (Con)]

14. What recent assessment he has made of the prospects for enlargement of the European Union; and if he will make a statement.

[The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington)]

We strongly support further enlargement of the European Union but also believe that countries that want to join must clearly meet the membership criteria. We welcome the progress made during the Spanish EU presidency, including the decision to open negotiations with Iceland, and the progress on accession negotiations with both Croatia and Turkey.

[Gordon Henderson]

Rather than encouraging an enlargement of the EU, will the coalition Government consider helping to reduce its size by holding a referendum that would allow the British people the opportunity to decide whether we remain a member of the EU?

[Mr Lidington]

The Government believe that British membership of the EU is very much in the national interests of the UK, and—[Interruption.]