I regularly discuss policy relating to Europe with ministerial colleagues. For example, earlier this year and shortly after their accession to the EU, I visited Romania and Bulgaria on behalf of the Prime Minister. I met the Presidents and Prime Ministers of both countries to discuss issues of bilateral and regional importance
Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree with recent comments of Mr. Barroso, the President of the European Commission, who suggested that Europe should have a common migration policy? If he does, does he think that that will help or hinder good community relations in this country?
I have not read the comments of Mr. Barroso. [Hon. Members: “Oh!”] Oh, shock, horror—no, I have not. But all these matters are important. I have common consultations in Europe and nationally. They were involved in some of my discussions abroad. It is an important issue, and we will work to find common agreement and consensus, to the benefit of all.
Has the Deputy Prime Minister consulted colleagues on whether a policy of little Englander isolationism and alliance with nobody but crackpots, fanatics and the Czechs might be the best thing for the United Kingdom?
My hon. Friend can say that, but I certainly cannot comment on it.
Is it not time that the Prime Minister brought some coherence to the Government’s European policy? Four years ago, the Prime Minister said that we needed a proper constitution for Europe; but on Monday, he said that we did not need a constitution but that we had to have a new treaty, which contradicted the Foreign Secretary, who said that the EU was coping just fine as it was, who was in turn contradicted by the Minister for Europe, who said that the current rules are unsustainable. Is it not time that the Deputy Prime Minister stepped in to sort out the chaos, and will he reiterate the pledge that there will be no bringing in of parts of the constitution through the backdoor?
The Prime Minister made it clear at his joint conference with the Dutch Prime Minister on Monday that his concern was obviously to secure some agreement on those matters in the European Council of Ministers when it meets in June and to make it clear that we are concerned about the administrative changes and that we would be supportive of them, but not of the constitutional changes.
As a member of the Government who held a referendum in the north-east, with a result that will never be forgotten in the north-east or the rest of the country, will the Deputy Prime Minister, in his final weeks in office, leave a legacy to democracy and join us in declaring that any new treaty that transfers powers from Britain to the European Union should be subject to a referendum of the British people?
The Prime Minister has always made it clear in regard to constitutional change that we have promised that we would hold a referendum. That is a matter of the judgment to be exercised at the next summit meeting, and that is the important decision. It has been confirmed by the Prime Minister, and no doubt, the House will have a chance to debate those issues once the summit comes to its conclusion in June.