European Union (Approval of Treaty Amendment Decision) Bill [Lords]

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Excerpts

Monday 3rd September 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hague]

No, I have given way several times to my hon. Friend.

The case for the Bill is straightforward. It means the end of any new contingent liability under the EFSM, and the end of any such future bail-out contingent liability.

[Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) (Con)]

Will my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary give way?

[Mr Hague]

No, I am concluding my speech.

The UK will no longer be exposed to any future programmes of financial assistance for the eurozone through the EU budget. The Bill will help our friends and neighbours in the eurozone, whom we wish to see prosper, in their search for financial stability in their currency area. This House has already agreed, under previous provisions, to the Prime Minister signing the treaty amendment. I hope that its merits mean that it will be approved again under the new and vastly more rigorous provisions that we have put in place. I commend the Second Reading of the Bill to the House.