Economic Governance (EU) Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Economic Governance (EU)

Lord Lilley Excerpts
Wednesday 27th October 2010

(13 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. I would remind the House that if I am to accommodate a reasonable number of colleagues within the very limited time frame available, brevity in both questions and answers is essential.

Lord Lilley Portrait Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin and Harpenden) (Con)
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Can the Minister confirm that even if the proposed treaty concerns only and exclusively the member states of the eurozone, it would still require the support of the British Government to go ahead? Can he assure me that that support will not be given without obtaining concessions in return, such as the return of powers to this country that were unnecessarily given? Can he assure me that we will not give that support without demanding a price? This is the ideal opportunity to obtain that price.

Mark Hoban Portrait Mr Hoban
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My right hon. Friend makes an important point, but I would point out to him that, at the moment, there are no proposed treaty changes on the table. That may happen at the European Council next weekend, and we should respond to those treaty changes as they arise. However, I go back to the comments that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made: we will not agree to any changes to EU treaties that move more powers from this country to the EU.