§ LORD O'HAGANMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will request Lord Rothschild and his Review Staff to think about European Union, as adopted by the Heads of State or Government in the Paris Communiquéof October, 1972.
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (LORD WINDLESHAM)My Lords, developments towards European Union are kept under continuous review by Her Majesty's Government. The Central Policy Review Staff takes account of the relevant implications in its current work programme; additional action by the C.P.R.S. is not envisaged at present.
§ LORD O'HAGANMy Lords, would the noble Lord agree that European Union, whatever it may be, will be of such far-reaching importance that some new and permanent form of machinery ought to be set up? Is he really confident that what he has described will be capable of ensuring a positive British contribution to the European Union which finally emerges?
§ LORD WINDLESHAMMy Lords, the Government recognise that the movement towards European Union is a very important topic to which careful study should certainly be given. At present, consideration of this matter falls to several Government Departments. I can assure the noble Lord that the work that he would like to see is indeed going forward.