EUROPEAN COMMUNITY (MILK MARKETING BOARDS) (Hansard, 10 May 1978)

§ Mr. Raphael Tuck
I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the fact that six Members of Parliament were prevented last Monday evening from voting on a crucial matter in the EEC by reason of the necessity of their being in the House of Commons for the vote on the Finance Bill, with the result that they were unable to prevent the Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament from voting for the disbandment of the Milk Marketing Boards in this country". The matter is specific because it deals with the invidious position of the Member of this Parliament who is also a Member of the European Parliament. It is important, because the results of the proceedings in the Agriculture Committee of the EEC last Monday may well be disastrous and nullify all the valiant efforts of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to keep the Milk Marketing Boards here in being.
The matter also calls into question the whole of our pairing system—whether it is right—and whether a Member of this Parliament should also be a Member of the European Parliament, as he cannot do both his jobs effectively.
The matter should have urgent consideration because this kind of thing may well happen over and over again, and it is up to this Parliament to see that it does not.

§ Mr. Speaker
The hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Tuck) gave me notice before 12 o'clock today that he would seek leave to move the Adjournment of 1184 the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he believes should have urgent consideration, namely, the fact that six Members of Parliament were prevented last Monday evening from voting on a crucial matter in the EEC by reason of the necessity of their being in the House of Commons for the vote on the Finance Bill, with the result that they were unable to prevent the Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament from voting for the disbandment of the Milk Marketing Boards in this country". I listened carefully to the hon. Gentleman, but I cannot grant his request.

§ Mr. Lee
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. As my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House is in his place, I wonder whether you would look kindly on any attempt by him to catch your eye if he can assist us in trying to avoid the kind of nonsense my hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Mr. Tuck) has been seeking to make a Standing Order No. 9 matter. My right hon. Friend may be able to assist us so that the damage done by the organisation in Brussels, Strasbourg or wherever it meets can be mitigated somewhat.

§ Mr. Speaker
The Lord President will have heard what the hon. Gentleman said, but this is not the moment for him to intervene.