HL Deb 22 October 1992 vol 539 cc848-50

3.27 p.m.

Lord Monson asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the new duties which will be imposed upon every citizen of the "European union" under Article 8 if the Maastricht Treaty comes into force.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)

None, my Lords. The provisions of the Maastricht Treaty establishing union citizenship confirm certain existing rights and confer some additional rights such as the right to vote in municipal and European elections in one's country of residence. However, they do not themselves impose any specific duties on union citizens.

Lord Monson

My Lords, that is a welcome reply. Is it not curious that the text of the treaty seems to imply otherwise? Will the Minister confirm beyond question that there are no new duties to be imposed which in the case of non-compliance could lead to penalties being imposed upon citizens of this or indeed any other country across the Community?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord; but there are no specific duties imposed by the treaty. It might be argued that there is a general duty to obey Community law, but that derives from the fact that Community law is given effect in each member state. It does not therefore derive as such from union citizenship. I can therefore reassure the noble Lord on his final point.

Lord Stoddart of Swindon

My Lords, is it not a fact that we were given similar kinds of assurances when the Single European Act was discussed in this House and in another place? However, it was found that the Commission discovered all kinds of ways to introduce new measures outside the treaty in a way that was not hitherto thought possible. Will the Minister give us an assurance that the Commission and the court of law will not be able to impose duties on citizens of this country which this Parliament has not agreed?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, I can assure the noble Lord, Lord Stoddart, that that will certainly be true, provided both Houses of Parliament pass the Maastricht Treaty Bill.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, will the noble Baroness give the House an assurance that the use of the terms "citizen" and "citizenship" does not carry any implication, however remote, that by being a citizen of the European union one in any way transfers one's allegiance? Will she take note of the fact that during the course of the negotiation of the Maastricht Treaty and ever since I have searched through my correspondence diligently and I can find no paper sent to me asking me whether or not I wish to become a citizen of the union? In the absence of such a letter, will she be assured that I would give such a request my earnest consideration but that my present inclination is not to wish to become a citizen of the union but to remain a citizen of the United Kingdom?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Bruce of Donington, is right. We shall all remain citizens of the United Kingdom. That particular and rather curious phrase simply applies to all who hold the nationality of a member state of the Community under the Treaty of Rome and the twin pillars now of the common foreign and security policy and of justice home affairs. It covers all three aspects.

However, for every Member of your Lordships' House allegiance will always be to one Queen and to one country.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, does the noble Baroness agree that it is essential that citizens of this country should be aware of the contents of the Treaty of Maastricht? Is she aware that that is not the case? Will she speak to her right honourable friend and ask him whether he can arrange for the Government to publish a clear version and explanation of the Treaty of Maastricht which would be made available to people in advance of further consideration of the treaty by Parliament? Will she make sure that that is in English and in Welsh?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, I think that I am supposed to say "Iechyd da" at this point. I can assure the noble Lord, Lord Cledwyn, that next week the Government will issue a short booklet explaining the treaty, how the Community works, and how the Maastricht Treaty would change it. I am quite certain that it will be published in Welsh, but it will certainly be published in Wales. I shall check on its being published in Welsh, which I agree with the noble Lord should be done. The booklet will be available through libraries and other institutions free on request. There is plenty of other information available from the explanatory memorandum by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Treasury which is available from Her Majesty's Stationery Office bookshops.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Baroness.

Baroness Seear

My Lords, am I correct in thinking that there are rather more Urdu speakers than there are Welsh?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, I shall look into the matter for the noble Baroness, Lady Seear.