European Union (Amendment) Bill

Some of us do not mind whether the treaty is wrecked. In case the Minister has not found the words, they are: "““This will lead to a common defence when the European Council, acting unanimously, so decides””." That is an awful long way from Maastricht, which says that this could, in time, lead to a common defence. These are the words that my noble friend wishes to take out of the treaty. That would not necessarily wreck it; we would simply go back to the other 26 nations to see whether they agree.