HC Deb 12 May 1971 vol 817 cc112-3W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Lord President of the Council to what extent, before a decision is taken in the Council of Ministers of the Community, it is open to Parliaments of member States, including Great Britain, not only to debate such issues, but to refuse to agree to or implement any decisions arrived at by the council of Ministers of the Community.

Mr. Whitelaw

If we accede to the Treaty of Rome, it will be open to Parliament, as it is to Parliaments of other member States to debate, before their enactment, those Community instruments submitted by the Commission of the E.E.C. to the Council of Ministers for approval. As members of the E.E.C. we would be represented in the Council and party to its processes of decision-making on Community legislation.