Oral Answers to Questions

David Ruffley Excerpts

Tuesday 15th March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Lidington]

The right hon. Gentleman makes an important point. There are real problems on the Greco-Turkish border that affect migration into the whole of the EU. This is a matter to which my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and my hon. Friend the Minister for Immigration are giving a high priority in their conversations with their European counterparts.

[Mr David Ruffley (Bury St Edmunds) (Con)]

8. What recent discussions he has had in the General Affairs Council on economic prospects for the EU; and if he will make a statement.

[The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington)]

I regularly take part in such discussions and emphasise our view that growth and global competitiveness should be the EU’s first priority.

[Mr Ruffley]

Will the Minister confirm that if the UK was ever to be pressured to join the European stability bail-out mechanism, it would require a treaty change, and that therefore a referendum would be given to the British people on that subject?

[Mr Lidington]

Membership of the proposed permanent European stability mechanism is open only to those countries that are members of the euro and have that as their currency. For the UK to join the euro, which would be necessary to take part in the ESM, there would have to be a referendum, provided that the European Union Bill becomes law.