§ 13. Ms Rachel Squire (Dunfermline, West)If he will make a statement on his plans for increasing the democratic accountability of EU institutions. [74919]
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Ms Joyce Quin)The Government have shown their commitment to improving the European Union's democratic accountability in a number of ways. We supported changes to the role of the European Parliament and to the role of national parliaments at Amsterdam. We have also introduced a number of improvements to our own scrutiny system.
During the British presidency, we made significant progress in improving access to information, including through more open debates in Council and better public access to documents. We continue to attach great importance to introducing more transparency to EU decision-making processes.
882 With regard to the European Commission, hon. Members will be aware that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is to make a statement shortly.
§ Ms SquireI must have been under a telepathic influence when I tabled the question two weeks ago for answer today, given the damning report that was published last night and the resignation of the EU Commissioners. Does my right hon. Friend agree that if ever the time was right for making EU institutions more democratic and accountable, it is now? In particular, does she agree that the reform of the management and accountability of the Commission should be accelerated, and that, in line with the Amsterdam treaty, the opening up of the decision-making process in the EU should be given greater priority, so that it is seen to be more responsible, accountable and relevant to the everyday lives of the people whom we represent?
§ Ms QuinI agree with my hon. Friend and congratulate her on her perspicacity. We strongly believe that the events of yesterday and today represent a real opportunity to change the European Commission's management culture and to improve EU decision making across the board.
§ Dr. Julian Lewis (New Forest, East)How can democratic accountability in the EU possibly survive if certain leading German politicians have their way? Is the right hon. Lady aware that the German Chancellor has stated:
National sovereignty will soon be a product of the imagination"?Or that the German Foreign Minister has stated:My goal is to turn the EU into an entity under international law"?Or even that the new German Finance Minister has stated:European unification is an absolute must … The euro is not European unification, but it is one important step towards this end."?Does the right hon. Lady accept that, if the 20th century has taught us anything, it is the unwisdom of ignoring the pronouncements of German politicians by pretending that they do not mean what they say?
§ Ms QuinThroughout the EU, there are many ideas on how to change EU institutions and bring them closer to the people whom we represent. During our presidency, we established an impressive programme of priorities to bring Europe closer to the citizens, and that is the agenda that we are pursuing, for which we have much support.