Written question asked by Lord Maude of Horsham (Conservative) on Monday, 18 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 December 2000. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Thursday, 21 December 2000 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he has negotiated an opt-out for North Sea oil from the provisions of Article 100(1) TEC, to which QMV was extended at the Nice Council.

Answer: Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has negotiated an opt-out for North Sea oil from the provisions of Article 100(1) TEC, to which QMV was extended at the Nice Council. [143782] Mr. Vaz: There was no need for an opt-out to be negotiated. The United Kingdom has sovereign rights over its North Sea reserves under international law, and the EC Treaty does not confer competence on the Community to claim ownership of or control over them. Article 100(1) TEC cannot be used to displace the framework of rights existing under international law.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 143782; 360 c341W
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: European Union France Oil Natural resources Voting methods Treaties Treaty of Nice European Council North Sea oil Intergovernmental Conference 2000
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk