European Parliament (Hansard, 18 March 1974)

§ 44. Sir D. Walker-Smith
asked the Lord President of the Council whether it is proposed to table a further resolution in respect of membership of the European Parliament.

Mr. Short
No, Sir. We see no need to do so at the present time.

§ Sir D. Walker-Smith
I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on at any rate the celerity of his answer. Are the Government considering whether it is possible that the necessary processes of safeguarding British interests, seeking amendment of the Treaty, and improving the democratic working of the constitution of the Community, might conceivably be helped by the accretion of a delegation of sagacious and industrious Labour Members, if such indeed there be?

Mr. Short
That is a matter we must examine in the light of our strategy for renegotiation as a whole.

§ Mr. Skinner
Will my right hon. Friend take into account the fact that many of us on the Government side, and millions in the country, do not want to see the Labour Party entangled in the Common Market at all? Will he also take into account the fact that about 20 Members of Parliament—Tories, Liberals and the hon. and learned Member for Lincoln (Mr. Taverne)—have been getting £120 a day expenses, return flight to Strasbourg charged, going at £46 a time on a charter flight, and putting the difference in their pockets? Will my right hon. Friend do something about that as well?

Mr. Short
The Government's policy is to initiate immediately a radical renegotiation of the terms. In the meantime, we see no reason why we should send a delegation from the Government side of the House.