§ 98. Mr. Mikardoasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the Protocol for the amendment of the Statute of the Council of Europe; and whether he will make a statement as to the policy of His Majesty's Government on this subject.
§ Mr. YoungerYes. A copy of the draft Protocol prepared by the Consultative Assembly's Special Committee on the Statute was received in the Foreign Office from the Secretary-General on 11th January. It is clear that the proposals have far-reaching political and constitutional implications and will require to be examined very closely. My right hon. Friend has felt obliged to inform the Foreign Ministers of the other member countries that His Majesty's Government cannot agree to accept these proposals as a basis for discussion until that study has taken place. It will be noted in particular that there are provisions in the Protocol which would very closely affect the sovereignty of this Parliament. I refer especially to Articles 7 and 35.