HL Deb 12 October 1982 vol 434 cc807-8WA
Lord Bethell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they accept the principle that all British citizens resident in the European Community should be given the opportunity to vote in the June 1984 European Parliament elections and, if so, what they are doing to make this possible.

Lord Elton

The Government believe it is desirable that all Community nationals should be able to vote in European Parliament elections. The Council of Ministers is examining the Parliament's proposals for a uniform electoral procedure under which citizens of member states would have the right to vote in European Parliament elections irrespective of their place of residence within the Community. It is not yet clear whether agreement will be reached in time for a uniform procedure to be implemented at the 1984 elections.