Written question asked by Ian Davidson (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 6 April 2005. It was answered by Denis MacShane (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 April 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, from whom he sought legal advice regarding the incorporation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights within the EU Constitutional Treaty; from whom he sought legal advice on changes to the qualified majority voting rules of the EU set out in the Constitution for Europe.

Answer: Mr. Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) from whom he sought legal advice regarding the incorporation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights within the EU constitutional treaty; [224269] (2) from whom he sought legal advice on changes to the qualified majority voting rules of the EU set out in the constitution for Europe. [224271] Mr. MacShane: There is a strong public interest in ensuring that a Government Department, in the process of formulating policy, is able to act free from external pressure in deciding whether it seeks legal advice, at what stage, and from whom. Accordingly, it is not the Government's practice to indicate on which issues, or from whom, legal advice has been sought.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 432 c1487-8W;432 c1483-4W; 224269;224271
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Human rights Legal aid scheme EU law European Constitution Treaty EU action Voting methods Qualified majority voting Charter of Fundamental Rights (EU)
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk