HC Deb 14 July 1998 vol 316 c186
14. Mr. John Healey (Wentworth)

If he will list his proposals for the reform of the European Union's institutions. [48714]

18. Mr. Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow, West)

What proposals he is putting forward to reform the European Union's institutions. [48718]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Doug Henderson)

At this stage, the Government have no formal proposals for reform of the institutions. However, we are examining future developments in the European Union and how Britain should approach them.

Mr. Healey

Is not Britain's gross domestic product per head now the fourth lowest in the European Union? Does my hon. Friend accept that the reform of the European structural funds must fully reflect the structural problems in the United Kingdom? What reassurance can he give areas such as South Yorkshire that there will be an increase in the United Kingdom's take of European structural funds in general and an increase in objective 1 funding in particular?

Mr. Henderson

I thank my hon. Friend for that question. If we are to proceed with the enlargement of the European Union, structural funds must be available to help the economies of central and eastern Europe to develop. That will augur well for our exports. The rest of the funding available to the European Union has to be allocated among the existing member states. A fair solution must be reached, taking account of priorities such as those that my hon. Friend mentioned in South Yorkshire.

Mr. Thomas

Is not one reason why the Conservatives failed to deliver any significant reform of EU political institutions the intemperate and extreme language used by the present shadow Foreign Secretary and his colleagues on most matters European? Will my hon. Friend assure me that he will continue to press for measures to improve the environment in areas such as the common agricultural policy?

Mr. Henderson

My hon. Friend is right. I am sure that the House realises that a Government cannot negotiate with their EU partners unless they have established a relationship. Each country emphasises its priorities, and, through a process of negotiation, deals have to be reached for the European Union. Those involved must be committed to the European Union and feel that a fair settlement has been reached. That is vital for reform of the common agricultural policy, to which I have already referred.

Back to