My Lords, I agree completely with my noble friend about the importance of looking at issues of financial stability. The spring Council in 2008, we believe, should consider how we can respond to ensure greater market transparency. As I have indicated, my right honourable friend has invited the German Chancellor...

My Lords, I agree completely with my noble friend about the importance of looking at issues of financial stability. The spring Council in 2008, we believe, should consider how we can respond to ensure greater market transparency. As I have indicated, my right honourable friend has invited the German Chancellor...

My Lords, whereas it may be the case that this country has always gone forward crabwise in the matter of European integration, is it not important to note that even at this Council meeting, something that has not been noted is the hugely important role of the EU, and discussions...

My Lords, whereas it may be the case that this country has always gone forward crabwise in the matter of European integration, is it not important to note that even at this Council meeting, something that has not been noted is the hugely important role of the EU, and discussions...

My Lords, it means both Houses.

My Lords, it means both Houses.

My Lords, we will see the Bill tomorrow, but I would like to pursue one point, which seems somewhat ambiguous, in the Statement. The Prime Minister stated: "““To ensure that no Government can agree without Parliament’s approval … any proposal to activate the mechanisms in the treaty which provide for...

My Lords, we will see the Bill tomorrow, but I would like to pursue one point, which seems somewhat ambiguous, in the Statement. The Prime Minister stated: "““To ensure that no Government can agree without Parliament’s approval … any proposal to activate the mechanisms in the treaty which provide for...

My Lords, I would say to the noble and learned Lord that I do not recognise his description, certainly in terms of Cabinet colleagues, of which I am one. I hope that the Front Bench opposite will listen to what the noble and learned Lord, Lord Howe, has said about...

My Lords, I would say to the noble and learned Lord that I do not recognise his description, certainly in terms of Cabinet colleagues, of which I am one. I hope that the Front Bench opposite will listen to what the noble and learned Lord, Lord Howe, has said about...

My Lords, I should acknowledge that I signed the treaty for the accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Union in Madrid and Lisbon. I regard that—perhaps the Minister will agree—along with the other treaties mentioned by the noble Lord, Lord Hannay, and the one signed last week, as...

My Lords, I should acknowledge that I signed the treaty for the accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Union in Madrid and Lisbon. I regard that—perhaps the Minister will agree—along with the other treaties mentioned by the noble Lord, Lord Hannay, and the one signed last week, as...

My Lords, there are some aspects of the Statement that certainly require further clarification. When it is said that the Council agreed on its approach to Kosovo, was that a unanimous decision of all 27 countries, including Cyprus? Secondly, on the question of supervised independence for Kosovo, will that apply...

My Lords, there are some aspects of the Statement that certainly require further clarification. When it is said that the Council agreed on its approach to Kosovo, was that a unanimous decision of all 27 countries, including Cyprus? Secondly, on the question of supervised independence for Kosovo, will that apply...

My Lords, I presume that the noble Lord is referring to the ambassador role of diplomats across the world for the UK Government, in which case the answer is yes. If the noble Lord meant something else, perhaps he can talk to me later.

My Lords, I presume that the noble Lord is referring to the ambassador role of diplomats across the world for the UK Government, in which case the answer is yes. If the noble Lord meant something else, perhaps he can talk to me later.

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord. I associate myself with his opening remarks about who signs what, when and where. Certainly, in terms of Kosovo, we believe that the Ahtisaari proposals provide the best way forward and that is the stance that we will take. We want...

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord. I associate myself with his opening remarks about who signs what, when and where. Certainly, in terms of Kosovo, we believe that the Ahtisaari proposals provide the best way forward and that is the stance that we will take. We want...

My Lords, I confirm that the decision on Kosovo was made unanimously by all 27 member states. It will include all the territory, including in the north. The noble Lord asked about Turkey. As he knows, ongoing dialogues take place on different aspects of policy that Turkey needs to pursue...

My Lords, I confirm that the decision on Kosovo was made unanimously by all 27 member states. It will include all the territory, including in the north. The noble Lord asked about Turkey. As he knows, ongoing dialogues take place on different aspects of policy that Turkey needs to pursue...

My Lords, does the noble Baroness not agree that it is more important to discuss the substance of this treaty than who signed what when, out of which I am not sure anyone emerges with huge credit? Those who live in glass houses really ought not to start throwing stones....

My Lords, does the noble Baroness not agree that it is more important to discuss the substance of this treaty than who signed what when, out of which I am not sure anyone emerges with huge credit? Those who live in glass houses really ought not to start throwing stones....

My Lords, with the leave of the House, I shall now repeat a Statement made in another place by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister. ““With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a Statement about the European Council held in Brussels on 14 December, which focused on...

My Lords, with the leave of the House, I shall now repeat a Statement made in another place by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister. ““With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a Statement about the European Council held in Brussels on 14 December, which focused on...

My Lords, watching the Prime Minister, I have worked out that his favourite bedtime reading is, How to Offend Friends and Alienate People. Last weekend, he managed to annoy the Europhobes by signing the treaty and the pro-Europeans by an exercise that sent all the wrong messages and—as the noble...

My Lords, watching the Prime Minister, I have worked out that his favourite bedtime reading is, How to Offend Friends and Alienate People. Last weekend, he managed to annoy the Europhobes by signing the treaty and the pro-Europeans by an exercise that sent all the wrong messages and—as the noble...

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness the Leader of the House for repeating the Statement. What a marathon task it was. I assure the House that I will not take as long. Does the noble Baroness accept that last weekend’s ““shall we, shan’t we”” treaty signing was perhaps the...

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness the Leader of the House for repeating the Statement. What a marathon task it was. I assure the House that I will not take as long. Does the noble Baroness accept that last weekend’s ““shall we, shan’t we”” treaty signing was perhaps the...

My Lords, is not the attack of the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, on the Prime Minister totally predictable? Does it not underline the complete bankruptcy of the Conservative Opposition on anything to do with Europe? If the Prime Minister had attended the signing of the treaty, would he not have...

My Lords, is not the attack of the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, on the Prime Minister totally predictable? Does it not underline the complete bankruptcy of the Conservative Opposition on anything to do with Europe? If the Prime Minister had attended the signing of the treaty, would he not have...

My Lords, I am grateful to both noble Lords for engaging with a Statement that, although long, is none the less important in the number of issues addressed. Let me begin by saying that my right honourable friend the Prime Minister did what Prime Ministers are required to do: he...

My Lords, I am grateful to both noble Lords for engaging with a Statement that, although long, is none the less important in the number of issues addressed. Let me begin by saying that my right honourable friend the Prime Minister did what Prime Ministers are required to do: he...

My Lords, as I have made clear, my right honourable friend fulfilled his obligations in both directions. The interesting thing for the Opposition will be—if Parliament ratifies this process—what then?

My Lords, as I have made clear, my right honourable friend fulfilled his obligations in both directions. The interesting thing for the Opposition will be—if Parliament ratifies this process—what then?

Lords statement on the European Council held in Brussels on 14 December.

Lords statement on the European Council held in Brussels on 14 December.

My Lords, I long ago spent a year on these Benches. I then spent a rather longer 18 years on the Benches over there, since when I have more happily spent 10 years on these Benches, in the course of which I have never changed in my admiration for the...

My Lords, I long ago spent a year on these Benches. I then spent a rather longer 18 years on the Benches over there, since when I have more happily spent 10 years on these Benches, in the course of which I have never changed in my admiration for the...

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for her presentation of the Statement, in which she mentioned the deliberations during the weekend on Burma. For many of us, the commitment to resolve the problem seems long overdue. Today, there is even more information in the national press that gives us...

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for her presentation of the Statement, in which she mentioned the deliberations during the weekend on Burma. For many of us, the commitment to resolve the problem seems long overdue. Today, there is even more information in the national press that gives us...