HL Deb 17 January 1974 vol 348 cc1181-2WA
THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGH

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have given further consideration as to how Members of the European Parliament should be chosen.

LORD WINDLESHAM

As I said in a debate on this subject on October 24 last, Her Majesty's Government believe that, at this stage, it would be inadvisable to adopt any new and permanent procedures for choosing the United Kingdom representatives to the European Parliament. This still represents the Government's position. The normal practice of Parliament in matters of this sort is that, after informal consultations through the usual channels, names are proposed to each House for their approval. After giving further consideration to this matter the Government have concluded that it would not be appropriate to propose any changes in this practice at present.