HC Deb 09 March 1953 vol 512 cc812-3
5. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how British representatives to the Assembly of the Council of Europe will be elected or appointed this year.

Mr. Nutting

As in previous years, our delegation will be appointed by the Prime Minister, the appointment of Labour and Liberal representatives being made on the basis of nominations by the leaders of those parties.

Mr. Hynd

Is the Minister aware of Article 25, which states that representatives should be elected by the respective Parliaments or appointed in a way decided by those Parliaments? Will he try to arrange in future that the appointments are made in accordance with the Statute?

Mr. Nutting

I see nothing in the present system of British representation at the Council of Europe which is in any way in conflict with the Statute. This system was adopted by the late Government. It seemed to work very well in their time, and it certainly works well now. As regards appointments of Liberal and Labour representatives, these are made on the recommendations of the leaders of those parties.

Sir H. Williams

Is it not absurd that the persons who purport to represent this body should not be chosen by this body? Why cannot they be elected in the same way as members of Select Committees?

Mr. Hynd

Were they elected or appointed by Parliament in accordance with the Statute?

Mr. Nutting

They are appointed by the Prime Minister on the basis of recommendations made to him by the leaders of the Labour and Liberal parties. They are, of course, appointed by the Prime Minister himself in the case of the Conservative Party.

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