To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the unanimity requirement on the effectiveness of Article 111.8 Draft Constitutional Treaty for the European Union in combating discrimination. [130859]

The Government believe that the unanimity requirement in Article III–8 will provide a good basis for EU legislation to combat various forms of discrimination. The Government consider that the requirement of unanimity will ensure that EU legislation is framed appropriately in order to take account of national diversity as well as the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity. Furthermore, initiatives taken under Article III–8 are measures aimed at supporting member state action, and do not therefore in any case stop member states putting in place additional measures.