European Commission

HC Deb 08 May 1996 vol 277 cc230-1

13. Mr. David Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those decisions and powers of the European Commission which are not subject to scrutiny by the European Parliament. [27205]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. David Davis)

The European Parliament does not formally scrutinise the Commission's role in enacting implementing measures under powers delegated by the Council, in pursuing infraction proceedings, in enforcing competition policy or in negotiating international agreements. In many areas, there are informal arrangements for scrutiny by the European Parliament.

Mr. Evans

Does not this confirm that unelected Commissioners tell us day in, day out, what we can or cannot do? Is it not time that we protected the farmers and fishermen of the United Kingdom from these unelected bureaucrats? We know that the lot opposite, under the banner of the skull and crossbones, would give our sovereignty away. Is it not time that the Government, on behalf of the British people, told Brussels to get stuffed?

Mr. Davis

If I were braver, I would ask my hon. Friend to wish Janice a happy Europe day tomorrow. My hon. Friend referred to "the lot opposite". I do not think that the skull and crossbones is the right flag for the Labour party—I think that the white flag would be more appropriate.

Mr. Watson

Is the Minister aware that, today, in the European Commission and the European Parliament, a visit is taking place by 25 civil servants from the Scottish Office? Notwithstanding what the Foreign Secretary said earlier about Europe day and what the Scottish Secretary said about not flying the European Union flag, does not this show the hypocrisy in the Government over Europe, the confusion and the facing two ways at once? Is it not one of the reasons why the people of this country are desperate to get rid of the Conservatives and to have in power a party that is positive about Europe for positive reasons?

Mr. Davis

It is quite extraordinary for the hon. Gentleman to suggest that my party faces two ways at once. As my late mother used to say, that is the kettle calling the pot black. I would be happy to call the Labour party's policy two-faced. Looking at the hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook), if he had two faces he would not use the one that he has.

Mr. Budgen

Does my hon. Friend agree that the powers of the European Parliament illustrate that we have a half-formed federal structure in Europe? Does he agree that either we will have the disadvantages of there being no proper control over the Commission or, if we give the European Parliament extra powers, we will give it powers over this House and other democratic assemblies in Europe, which will take us further along the road towards a federal structuref—which is being comprehensively rejected by the people of this country?

Mr. Davis

I certainly agree with my hon. Friend that the federal structure is comprehensively rejected by the people of this country. As for the control of the Commission, my hon. Friend is right in one respect: a great deal of legislation emanates from the Commission and it is for us, as part of the intergovernmental conference process, to try to ensure that the Council, not the European Parliament, gets a tighter control on it.

Mr. Sheerman

Do not answers such as those that we have just heard from the Minister drag down the reputation of the House? Hon. Members on both sides of the House deserve better than that.

There is a serious question about Europe. Executives need to be restrained by legislatures. Even those with pro-European views regard that as a problem that has to be sorted out. I am one who would fly the European flag tomorrow, but there are serious questions about empowering the European Parliament and domestic Parliaments in order to control both the Council of Ministers and the European Commission.

Mr. Davis

It is correct that the Executive should control—[HON. MEMBERS: "Ah!"]—that there should be democratic control of the Executive. What the hon. Gentleman misses, however, is that the British people see as their proper democratic representation this House of Commons, first and last.