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EU: Qualified Majority Voting

Answer

In respect of the policy areas subject to qualified majority voting (QMV) in the Council of Ministers, I refer the noble Lord to the Answers provided for him by my noble friend the then Foreign and Commonwealth Minister, Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, on 17 June 2003 (Official Report, col. WA 90) and 4 July 2003 (Official Report, cols. WA 144–48) respectively. I should also draw attention to the fact that the principal policy areas subject to QMV before the UK joined the European Economic Community in 1973 were the budget, the common commercial policy for goods, and the implementation of the common agricultural policy. These policy areas continue to be subject to QMV. In addition, since my noble friend Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean provided Answers to the noble Lord in 2003, a number of visa, asylum and immigration measures have, as provided for by the Treaty of Amsterdam, moved to QMV.In respect of the policy areas for which the United Kingdom retains the veto, I refer the noble Lord to the Answer provided for him by the noble Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 8 March 2001 (Official Report, cols. WA 36–39). Since that Answer, Article 63((3)(a) and (4)) has, as provided for by the Treaty of Amsterdam, replaced Article 67 as being subject to unanimity. Article 63 covers certain actions under Title IV of the Consolidated Treaty establishing the European Community: visas, asylum, immigration and other policies relating to the free movements of persons.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

4170; 679 c120WA

Session

2005-06

Related items

Symons of Vernham Dean, Baroness
Tuesday, 17 June 2003
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Symons of Vernham Dean, Baroness
Friday, 4 July 2003
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Scotland of Asthal, Baroness
Thursday, 8 March 2001
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Subjects

Council of Ministers Qualified majority voting

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk