HC Deb 20 June 1972 vol 839 cc73-4W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether, during the Summit Conference in October of the countries of the European Economic Community, in his proposals for strengthening of the powers of the European Parliament he will suggest a system whereby any Member of Parliament from the countries of the Ten will be entitled to attend any Committee meeting of the European Parliament on the same basis as British Members of Parliament are able to attend select and standing committees of the British Parliament;

(2) whether, during the summit conference in October of the countries of the European Economic Community in his proposals for strengthening the powers of the European Parliament, he will suggest a system of parliamentary questioning of Ministers similar to that operated in Great Britain whereby any Member of Parliament of the enlarged Ten will be able to table and ask both oral and written Questions.

The Prime Minister

I shall be glad to discuss the European Parliament at the Summit Conference with our future partners in the enlarged Community. Under Article 142 of the European Economic Community Treaty the rules of procedure of the European Parliament are a matter for the Parliament itself.