§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Lord President of the Council to what extent, on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, Ministers, ex-Ministers and Members of Parliament will be able to have paid employment with organisations and committees of the European Economic Community and bodies associated therewith; whether any discussions have ensued as to what classes of persons will be appointed for such appointment; and whether he will publish full details in his forthcoming White Paper on matters connected with Great Britain's terms of entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. WhitelawNo decisions are to be taken about any such appointments until it is clear that the United Kingdom will join the Communities.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Lord President of the Council whether he will give, so far as has not already been given, a detailed list of Members of both Houses who have during the past year participated in meetings connected with the European Economic Community, Western European Union, Council of Europe, and 421W any other European bodies where Treasury money has been expended; how much was spent; how these Members were selected; and to what extent Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community will involve the election of such persons in the future.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe details given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks (Sir J. Rogers) on 8th April—[Vol. 814–15, c. 299–301.]—comprise a complete list of the United Kingdom delegates to the Assemblies of the Council of Europe and Western European Union. It would not be possible without disproportionate expense to detail all contacts by Members with the E.E.C. or to isolate the costs to official funds.
The basis of selection of the United Kingdom delegations to the Council of Europe and Western European Union followed discussions through the usual channels, and was also referred to in my right hon. Friend's reply. This procedure has been followed by successive Governments, and no change is under consideration.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Lord President of the Council whether the 36 Members to be sent to the European Parliament if Great Britain joins the Common Market will be elected, selected or appointed; on what basis, and whether each party and those for and against entry into the European Economic Community will have representations; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitelawI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 29th June by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.—[Vol. 820, c. 89–90.]
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Lord President of the Council, in view of the discretion allowed under Article 189 of the Treaty of Rome, for national authorities to devise the form and methods of implementing directives, he will seek to provide for parliamentary scrutiny of these directives similar to that now available to Members in relation to Statutory Instruments, in respect of new directives made after Great Britain's entry to the European Economic Community.
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§ Mr. WhitelawSuch a procedure would be premature at this stage, but I have noted the suggestion.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Lord President of the Council why he will not move to strengthen the rules of the House in relation to personal pecuniary interest before a vote is taken on Great Britain's entry to the European Economic Community, in view of the financial and other personal advantages which may accrue to Members from such a decision.
§ Mr. WhitelawAs I have already indicated to the House, I believe there is widespread support for the view that in any matter affecting the declaration of personal financial interests it is better to rely on the general good sense of Members than on formalised rules.—[Vol. 812, c 1703–4.]
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Lord President of the Council why he will not make it a condition of Great Britain's entry into the Common Market that the Council of Ministers will seek to harmonise the salaries and working conditions of British Members of Parliament with those now in operation within the countries of the Six generally, and those in Germany and France in particular.
§ Mr. WhitelawI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on 30th June.—[Vol. 820, c. 109.]