HC Deb 09 March 1983 vol 38 cc834-5
66. Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to publish the list of topics to be considered at the Heads of Government meeting of the European Community to be held on 21 and 22 March.

Mr. Hurd

There is no set agenda at European Council meetings, and Heads of Government are free to raise any items of concern to them. Heads of Government will no doubt in March discuss the reports that they called for in December on measures to improve the internal market; Commission proposals in the field of research, innovation and energy; youth unemployment; and enlargement of the Community. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will raise the budgetary question.

Mr. Spearing

Is it not a fact that as long ago as last November Herr Kohl, when Chancellor, said that he wished to raise the matter of the Genscher-Colombo plan and the draft Act of European Unity at a time when he was President of the Council? Since the plan envisages giving greater powers to the Commission, to the assembly and to European assembly persons, would that not diminish the powers of this House? Since the powers of those institutions and persons has increased, is increasing and should be diminished, should not Her Majesty's Government say to Herr Kohl, "Nein danke schõn?

Mr. Hurd

I think that the hon. Gentleman is working on an old version of the document. We debated it in the House last summer. Since then there have been further discussions. We had a discussion on 1 March in Bonn. The document that is now being considered does not have any of the effects that the hon. Gentleman describes.

Sir Derek Walker-Smith

Will the Heads of Government make it clear beyond peradventure at the meetings that the powers of the various institutions of the Community are expressly limited by article 4 of the treaty to those that are conferred by the treaty, and cannot be expanded without amendment of the treaty, with all the formalities that that requires?

Mr. Hurd

My right hon. and learned Friend is perfectly right. I am sure that that view will be expressed by the Prime Minister whenever appropriate.

Mr. Jay

Will the Heads of Government at those meetings discuss the proposals of the Strasbourg assembly to hold its discussions in this country on Northern Ireland? If all else fails, could we use the Prevention of Terrorism Act to keep out those undesirable aliens?

Mr. Hurd

No. Sir, but we hold to the view that it is no part of the job of the European Parliament to deal with the internal constitutional affairs of a member state.

Mr. Russell Johnston

Does the Minister remember saying in the House in December 1977 that although he was then opposed to the introduction of the proportional system in elections, he wanted it the second time round? What is he doing about encouraging Heads of State to take action on that matter?

Mr. Hurd

There has been a great deal of discussion about that. I reported the discussions at the last Council of Ministers to the House. None of the Ministers concerned sees a chance of reaching agreement on a uniform electoral procedure this side of the 1984 election.

Mr. Cockeram

Is my right hon. Friend aware that those of us who wish to see co-operation between this Parliament and the European assembly believe that the functions of this Parliament have been usurped by certain Members of that assembly, as has been demonstrated by the recent tendency? Does he agree that if co-operation is to continue, that practice must cease?

Mr. Hurd

It is important that the European Parliament should operate and be seen to operate within the powers conferred on it by treaty.