§ Q4. Mr. Stanleyasked the Prime Minister what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the holding of referenda on matters of national importance.
§ The Prime MinisterThis is a wholly exceptional procedure, justified in the special case of the previous Government's Northern Ireland (Border Poll) Act 1972 and our Northern Ireland Act 1974, and as one of two alternative means of fulfilling the Government's pledge to give the British people through the ballot box the final decision about Britain's position in relation to the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. StanleyIf the Prime Minister decides to hold his consultative referendum on the EEC, will he tell the House clearly whether he would or would not regard the result of that referendum as being binding on the members of his Government?
§ The Prime MinisterI have said all along that there are two means. However, if the decision of the British people was recorded through the ballot box, yes, Sir, I would regard that as the final decision of the British people.
§ Mr. FauldsOnce the voice and the vote of the British people have ensconced Britain firmly in Europe, what devious and anti-parliamentary device does my right hon. Friend think the anti-Europeanists will then think up to get us out again?
§ The Prime MinisterI am grateful to my hon. Friend for presenting the issue so starkly. Depending on the progress of renegotiations, the vote of the British people might go the other way. [HON. MEMBERS: "Which way?"] I am sure that my hon. Friend, equally in accordance with the spirit of what he said, will accept the decision of the British people and not seek any devious means of changing it.
§ Sir Frederic BennettI have a point of order to raise on this Question, Mr. Speaker. Should I raise it at the end of Questions?
§ Mr. SpeakerYes.
§ Later—
§ Sir Frederic BennettOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. During the last fortnight I have tabled no fewer than 14 or 15 Questions to the Prime Minister on the subject of referenda. Those Questions have been transferred, but I make no complaint about that. The serious point I wish to raise is that the Questions I tabled to the Prime Minister last week were exactly the same as Question No. Q4 today, except for the use of the phrase
…what are the criteria adopted by Her Majesty's Government in the holding of referenda".The Prime Minister, as was his right transferred that Question to the Home Secretary for answer yesterday. I have not yet had the answer to it but I am told that the Question has been answered. May I have guidance whether it is proper for the Prime Minister, when the wording of two Questions is identical, to get another Minister to answer one of them the day before and then to answer the same Question a day later, thus preventing other hon. Members being given a chance to put a supplementary question to the Prime Minister?
§ The Prime MinisterFurther to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. The question of transfers is a difficult one. Some of the Questions tabled on referenda were Questions on subjects which are better dealt with by the responsible departmental Minister, particularly as the supplementary questions obviously would be of a departmental character. The general issue of legislation on referenda is a matter for the Home Secretary. I answered the Question today because of the deep interest shown in this matter by the House in an exchange last week.
§ Sir Frederic BennettFurther to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I must press this matter. The Prime Minister referred to questions of a departmental character. I have already said that I have no objection to the Prime Minister taking the action he did in that respect. I am making the point that, because of the deep interest in the House on this subject expressed in the House both yesterday and last week, it is somewhat unusual that the Prime Minister declined to answer a Question yesterday but 1293 answered a Question in identical terms today.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman's point will be noted.