European Summit Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

European Summit

Thomas Docherty Excerpts
Thursday 24th March 2011

(13 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mark Hoban Portrait Mr Hoban
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I do not know whether my hon. Friend was present for the debate in the House on 16 March when we discussed the ESM, but let me remind him of what my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe said:

“Should there be any suggestion of amending the draft decision at the European Council—there is no such suggestion from any quarter at present—the Prime Minister could not legally agree to it at the European Council without first coming back to this House and the other place for additional approval after a further debate.”—[Official Report, 16 March 2011; Vol. 525, c. 424.]

Of course, there can be no change to the treaty unless primary legislation passes through both this place and the other place.

Thomas Docherty Portrait Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab)
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Will the Minister confirm that had we joined the euro, we would have been expected beyond 2013 to make a significant contribution? Has he had a chance to ask the Chief Secretary to the Treasury whether he has abandoned his policy of joining the euro at the earliest possible date?