§ 62. Mr. Fernyhoughasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what statute the European Parliament's Committee on Regional Policy and Transport is entitled to convene a conference of the chairmen of the 20 main ports in Europe and oblige or compel the said chairmen including the chairmen of the London, Liverpool, Glasgow and other ports to answer questions put to them by the said committee; and what penalties apply to refusal to attend such a conference.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleThis is a matter for the European Parliament. But I understand that rules 37 to 44 of the Rules of Procedure of the European 397W Parliament provide the general framework within which committees of the Parliament operate.
I am not aware that any element of compulsion or penalty is involved in the arrangements for the conference to which the hon. Member refers.