§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that on Tuesday, 15th October, when a vote on the Common Market at the Western Union European Assembly was due to be taken, a quorum was not present and that many Members of Parliament from the Government side of the United Kingdom delegation were absent; on what basis expenses are paid to delegates who do not attend; and whether he will 354W require British delegates to attend the Assembly before they claim expenses.
§ Mr. MulleyI am aware that there was not a quorum of the Assembly of Western European Union when the vote on the Common Market debate was called on Tuesday, 15th October. But, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in reply to my hon. Friend on 22nd October, the British delegation had full representation on that occasion. The Assembly procedure provides that either delegates or substitutes with full voting and speaking rights may attend debates.
The amount of expenses paid to delegates is based on the number of days they are present at the Assembly session as a whole and not on attendance at specific debates. Delegates who are unable to attend the Assembly do not receive expenses.—[Vol. 770, c. 270.]
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give details of the expenses claimed by delegates appointed to attend the Western European Assembly on Tuesday, 15th October; and how many of those who claimed expenses were not present when the vote was called on that date on the Common Market debate.
§ Mr. MulleyDelegates attending the Western European Union Assembly at Paris from 14th to 18th October were provided with travelling expenses, hotel accommodation and subsistence at approved rates. As my hon. Friend, the then Under-Secretary, told my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Roebuck) on 31st May, it is not the practice to publish attendance figures for an all-party Parliamentary Delegation of this kind.—[Vol. 765, c.297.]