Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 30 June (WA 213), whether they will respond to Lord Stoddart of Swindon's question about ever-closer union.

The Written Answer by Lord Freud on 30 June (WA 213) referred to the business of the 19 June Council meeting. The noble Lord may be interested to note that the concept of ever closer union was covered in the 26/27 June European Council conclusions which stated that “the European Council noted that the concept of ever closer union allows for different paths of integration for different countries, allowing those that want to deepen integration to move ahead, while respecting the wish of those who do not want to deepen any further”. I also refer the noble Lord to the Prime Minister's Statement to the House of 30 June regarding the European Council.