To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 16 December 2014 (HL3536), whether recent statements by the Prime Minister stating that during negotiations on European Union reform nothing can be ruled out mean that the United Kingdom could withdraw from the European Union if the Government's objectives can not be met.

I refer the Noble Lord to my answers of 20 November 2014, 4 December 2014 and 16 December 2014. The Government’s position has not changed: the European Union must reform to become more competitive, democratically accountable and fair for those inside and outside the Eurozone. I also refer the Noble Lord to the speech by the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend Mr Cameron, on the 28 November 2014; and the speech by the Deputy Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend Mr Clegg, on the 5 August 2014. Transcripts of the speeches are attached for ease of reference.

This Answer included the following attachments:

1. PM speech 280Nov 2014 (PM speech 28 Nov 2014.docx)

2. DPM speech 5 Aug 2014 (DPM speech 5 August 2014.docx)