Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by James Duddridge (Conservative). It was answered on Tuesday, 29 November 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

European Constitution

Question: What discussions has the Minister had with his counterparts in Germany, given that Chancellor Merkel has said that she wants to press ahead with the constitution, but the British public clearly do not want it?

Answer: The Prime Minister has now met the incoming Chancellor of Germany, but it is to state the obvious to say that it is ultimately for the Germans to reach a decision on the ratification of the draft constitutional treaty on behalf of the German people, just as it is the perfect entitlement of the British Government, and ultimately the British Parliament, to reach a judgment on the right response of the United Kingdom to the decisive rejection of that treaty last spring by the French and the Dutch.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 440 c121
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: EU countries European Constitution Treaty Germany France Referendums Netherlands
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk