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European Constitution

Volume 454: debated on Thursday 14 December 2006

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which important constitutional implications arising from the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe would give rise to a commitment to holding a referendum. (109239)

Under the UK’s constitutional arrangements, there is no requirement to hold a referendum on the ratification of an EU Treaty. Indeed previous Governments have not sought to hold such a referendum. It is for Parliament to pass the necessary law.

In certain cases the Government have recommended that particular arrangements should be subject to a referendum. It is for Parliament to decide whether to hold such a referendum, having regard to the particular circumstances of the case.

In the case of the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe I refer the hon. Member to the statement by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the House on 20 April 2004, Official Report, columns 155-57.