European Parliament (Hansard, 10 June 1997)

§ 17. Mr. Lansley
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role of the European Parliament. [1174]

§ Mr. Doug Henderson
We look forward to a close and fruitful relationship with the European Parliament, which has an important legislative function in the EC, particularly in areas that are subject to majority voting in the Council of Ministers.

§ Mr. Lansley
In the c oming intergovernmental conference, will the hon. Gentleman resist any extension of powers of co-decision for the European Parliament?

§ Mr. Henderson
As the hon. Gentleman will be aware from his research background, there are already some such powers. Where there is any extension of qualified majority voting, in many instances we shall be looking for an extension of co-decision.

§ Mr. Barnes
Why do we not take the high ground in the European Union and argue for fully democratic institutions—including the European Parliament, which should be the fulcrum of democratic activity?

§ Mr. Henderson
I agree with my hon. Friend that there is a democratic deficit in Europe, partly caused by the Conservative party's inability to elect Members to the European Parliament, so the Conservatives' view is never put. We would welcome an enhanced democratic process in Europe, which is why, in the IGC negotiations, we emphasise the need to extend co-decision in areas of qualified majority voting.

§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
Does the Minister acknowledge that there is great lack of understanding between Members of this House and Members of the European Parliament? If we are to improve our relationships and thereby underpin the democratic process, what is the Government's view of the plan for greater co-operation between Members of this House and of the European Parliament? Surely that would help us to understand one another much better.

§ Mr. Henderson
I agree with the hon. Gentleman. It is certainly important that the European Parliament liaises closely with national Parliaments. One reason 946 why, during the IGC negotiations, we have strongly supported moves to improve transparency is to make information more widely available and to enable sensible dialogue to take place between the European Parliament and national Parliaments.