European Union (Accessions) Bill

We do not. The decision is in our hands but it is sensible to ascertain what other countries are planning to do before taking a unilateral decision. However, the hon. Gentleman knows that, with Sweden and the Republic of Ireland, we made a different decision from that of our partners about the eight accession countries. Nevertheless, the views of our partners have a bearing on the overall decision and they are a factor that we need to take into account. The strength of the clause, which the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale, West (Mr. Brady) acknowledged—I thank him for that—is that it enables us to keep our options open and make a decision that balances all the factors that I outlined. We believe that that is the right response because it affords the Government the flexibility that we need with the approval of Parliament.