Many people ask why I continue classifying William Hague as a sceptic, when everyone else who repeats his mantra about "in Europe, not ruled by Europe" is calssified as a don't know. The answer is that I hope Mr Hague is lying. This hope grows increasingly tenuous, as he continues to assert that he can think of no circumstances under which he would leave the European Union. But this is the reason. Sean Gabb London 8th April 2001

On the 15th December 2000, Sean Gabb wrote asking these questions:

1. If you are at the relevant time a Member of Parliament, do you undertake to use all available parliamentary means to secure a referendum on the Treaty of Nice?

2. If such a referendum is not called, do you further undertake to vote against ratification of the Treaty of Nice on its third reading in the House of Commons?

Dear Dr Gabb,

William Hague has asked me to thank you for your letter of 15 December 2000 raising two questions regarding our attitude to the Nice Treaty.

You will by now have received the reply from Francis Maude to the identical letter which you sent to him. I can confirm that this reply represents the official policy of the Conservative Party and I would be grateful if you could also take it as a reply on behalf of William Hague - and indeed myself!

With best wishes.

Yours sincerely,

John Whittingdale OBE MP
Parliamentary Private Secretary