Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Tomlinson (Labour). It was answered on Thursday, 12 July 2007.

EU: Parliament

Question: My Lords, does my noble friend not agree that when we joined the European Community we entered into a treaty obligation that there should be a single seat for the institutions? John Major betrayed our interests at the summit in December 1992 by allowing the French to outwit him. Should the Government not do in government what they said unequivocally they would do in opposition and support the single seat?

Answer: My Lords, the Government are doing in government what they said they would do in opposition: we are indicating that we find the present arrangements far from ideal. However, my noble friend, with his vast experience of matters European, will recognise that wish is not necessarily father to effective action. The Government are faced with the undeniable fact that, as this change is a treaty issue and subject to a unanimous vote, the chances of achieving it are remote.

Secondary information