HL Deb 08 July 1975 vol 362 cc719-20

3.0 p.m.

Lord SHEPHERD

My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper. In our debate last Thursday, I indicated that if any political Party wished to change its membership of the European Parliament, this could be done with great expedition. I understand that a Motion was passed last night in another place that the honour- able Member for Inverness, Mr. Russell Johnston, should no longer be a Member of the European Parliament. I am moving this Motion at the request of the Liberal Party that the noble Lord, Lord Gladwyn, should be a designated Member of your Lordships' House at the European Parliament. I feel sure that this will give joy, not only to the Members opposite but to the House as a whole. My Lords, I beg to move.

Moved, That the Lord Gladwyn be designated a member of the European Parliament:

That this Order shall remain in force and effect, notwithstanding the Prorogation or Dissolution of Parliament, until this House otherwise orders.—(Lord Shepherd.)

Lord BYERS

My Lords, I had not intended to make a speech but I hope that the noble Lord the Leader of the House will recognise what an invidious decision my right honourable friend Mr. Thorpe and I, together with the Parliamentary Party in another place, had to make last night as a result of the two major Parties, with just over 11 million votes each, taking 18 and 16 of the 36 seats in the European Parliament and leaving one Liberal representative for 5¼ million British voters. I say no more, but I hope the House will recognise the invidious decision which had to be taken late last night.

Lord PANNELL

My Lords, without wishing to contradict that statement, before the noble Lord quotes the number of votes polled by the Liberals in the country, would he look at the figures of votes cast in the West Woolwich by-election? He will see that the fall in the Liberal vote put the Conservatives in.

Lord SHEPHERD

My Lords, clearly the leadership of the Liberal Party had a difficult task last night. I would only say to the noble Lord, Lord Byers, that I indicated in Thursday's debate that the Parties should enter into early discussions on this matter. I do not feel that the contribution which the noble Lord himself has just launched is one that will help towards finding agreement between the Parties.

On Question, Motion agreed to.