§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what commitments have been made by member Governments of the EEC concerning direct elections to the European Assembly.
§ Mr. HattersleyNo time limit is set in the treaty but at their meeting in December 1974 the EEC Heads of Government noted that the objective of election by universal suffrage should be achieved as soon as possible. Her Majesty's Government however entered a reservation in the communiqué to the effect that they could not themselves take up a position on this proposal before the process of renegotiation had been completed and the results submitted to the British people. The Danish delegation also entered a reserve about the timing of the introduction of elections by universal suffrage.