Written question asked by Austin Mitchell (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 July 1997. It was answered by Doug Henderson (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 July 1997 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: Pursuant to his Answer of 7th July, Official Report, column 330, what rules of procedure governed the (a) Amsterdam summit and (b) preceding IGCs in the last five years; what rules of procedure govern other international heads of government meetings attended by the United Kingdom.

Answer: Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 7 July, Official Report, column 330, what rules of procedure governed the (a) Amsterdam summit and (b) preceding IGCs in the last five years; what rules of procedure govern other international Heads of Government meetings attended by the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [8536] Mr. Doug Henderson: Intergovernmental Conferences to consider amendments to the treaties are governed by Article N of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and are conducted by consensus. Beyond this, there are no formal rules of procedure for European Council meetings. It is for the incumbent Presidency to decide how to conduct summits. Other international heads of government meetings, such as meetings of NATO and the Commonwealth, are similarly not governed by formal rules of procedure.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 8536; 298 c93W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: European Union Treaties Rules of procedure European Council Intergovernmental Conference 1996 Netherlands Conferences