HC Deb 20 April 1972 vol 835 cc740-1
Q1. Mr. Skinner

asked the Prime Minister what plans he has for a further meeting with President Pompidou.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Reginald Maudling)

I have been asked to reply.

My right hon. Friend looks forward to meeting the President at the European Summit Conference in Paris in October.

Mr. Skinner

When the Prime Minister goes to meet the European board of directors in October, will the Home Secretary have a few words with the French police about disembarkation difficulties, and, perhaps, consult my hon. Friend the Member for Feltham (Mr. Russell Kerr)? I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman does not wish to see the French use the guillotine.

Mr. Maudling

I have enough problems, in my other capacity, about the police in this country. I should have thought on the whole that people who visit other countries should expect to conform to the laws of those countries.

Mr. Maclennan

Before the Prime Minister goes to the summit conference, at which it has been given out that he intends to raise the subject of the further democratisation of European institutions, will he ensure that the House has an opportunity to debate and to consider in detail the Government's proposals for the democratisation of the European Parliament and its reactions to the Vedel Commission's report on the strengthening of the powers of the European Parliament?

Mr. Maudling

Matters for debate in the House are for my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House. I am sure he will take note of the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.