§
Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 102(9) (European Standing Committees).
That this House takes note of the Presidency Report on the results of negotiations on the accession of Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden to the European Union; warmly welcomes the successful conclusion of negotiations with these countries; and looks forward to their accession to the European Union on 1st January 1995.—[Mr. Andrew Mitchell.]
§ Question agreed to.
§ 10.1 pm
§ Mr. Nigel Spearing (Newham, South)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. In respect of motion No. 3, you may be aware that, coming under the Standing Order, the matter of treaty accession was discussed upstairs in Standing Committee B last Tuesday. However, you and the House may not know that the Select Committee on EC legislation unanimously recommended to the Leader of the House that the important matter of enlargement be debated on the Floor of the House. The Government did not agree to that.
You may also be aware that, in matters of statutory instruments, there is often 'tagging' about observations from such Committees. Is there any Standing Order preventing such 'tagging' informing the House of consequences or actions such as those that I have described?
§ Madam SpeakerThere is no such Standing Order that would prohibit such a note on the Order Paper. The authorities of the House consider submissions for an informative note of that kind when they are made on behalf of Ministers, whose business this is. The hon. Gentleman may like to pursue his ideas with the Leader of the House.