HL Deb 24 June 1974 vol 352 cc1293-4WA
LORD O'HAGAN

asked Her Majesty's Government:

  1. (1) whether they have agreed the proposals of the Commission of the E.E.C. to increase the budgetary powers of the European Parliament;
  2. (2) if so, to define those new powers, indicating whether their creation involves a further diminuation of the budgetary powers of the British Parliament; and
  3. (3) whether such new powers can be conferred without the approval of national Parliaments.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COM MONWEALTH OFFICE (LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS)

At the Council meeting on June 4 Her Majesty's Government lifted their reserve on certain proposals designed to strengthen the budgetary powers of the European Assembly and to establish an Audit Court. These proposals have been made available to noble Lords. My right honourable friend explained to the Council that ratification by the United Kingdom of the consequential Treaty amendments would not be possible until progress had been achieved in the renegotiation of the entry terms.

The proposals are limited in scope and in no way diminish the budgetary powers of this Parliament.

Under the procedure laid down in Article 236 of the Treaty of Rome, the Treaty amendments will need to be ratified by all the Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional procedures.