§ 40. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Lord President of the Council whether he will move to initiate a system for election of delegates to the Council of Europe and other international organisations and conferences which delegates representing the British House of Commons, have to attend on similar lines to the Ballot for Private Members Bills and Motions.
§ Mr. WhitelawNo, Sir.
§ Mr. LewisThat is an amazing reply. One would not have expected the Lord President of the Council to give such a 523 reply. Is he aware that he has a reputation, as have most other hon. Members, for believing in extending democracy? Surely in the Council of Europe and everything connected with the E.E.C. we should show how democratic we are. A good way to start is by having a democratic system of electing those who are to go, instead of having the same old faces appointed by the Whips.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe present procedures in this matter have been followed by successive Administrations of both parties, and I believe that they have provided widespread satisfaction. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] If I am told that they have not, of course we can reconsider them, but I believe that they are the best way to proceed. No one has a closed mind on the matter, however, and if some better procedures can be proposed, by all means let them be considered.
§ Sir G. NabarroWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that I do not want to be sent to Strasbourg, thus involving me in a kind of dichotomy of loyalties not dissimiliar from the situation yesterday and on earlier days when I was required to be in the Coal Industry Committee upstairs while the Industrial Relations Bill was being considered downstairs, thereby effectively preventing a proper concentration and debate in either place?
§ Mr. WhitelawI do not think that there is any danger of my hon. Friend going to the Council of Europe unless he wants to. His movements in the House are a somewhat different matter and in the long run something which inevitably he determines for himself.