HC Deb 20 June 1974 vol 875 c240W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give an assurance that he will, during the renegotiation of British terms for continuing membership of the EEC, not agree to any proposals until these have first been reported to the House of Commons.

Mr. Hattersley

As my right hon. Friend told the House on 11th June—[Vol. 874, c. 1428.]—we shall try to ensure that proposals received from the Commission are transmitted to the Scrutiny Committee within 48 hours. If the Committee indicates that it considers a proposal to be of exceptional urgency and importance and recommends that it should be debated in the House, our intention is that final decisions should not be taken on it in the Council of Ministers until we know the views of the House.

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