HC Deb 26 November 1975 vol 901 cc206-7W
34. Sir A. Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals have been put forward by Her Majesty's Government for improving democratic control of the institutions of the EEC.

Mr. Hattersley

Her Majesty's Government are seeking to improve financial control in the Community and have proposed that the European Assembly should play a more active and effective rôle. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister outlined some ideas in a speech in Liverpool on 26th September.

37. Mr. Biffen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement outlining his policy in respect of the expenditure powers which should be vested in the European Assembly.

Mr. Hattersley

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question from the hon. Member for Flint, West (Sir A. Meyer), in which I dealt with financial control in the Community.

We also envisage that the Assembly might establish a public expenditure committee, but this will require further consideration in the Community. In the meantime, I think it better to see how the Assembly applies the powers it has enjoyed since January 1975 under the 1970 Budget Treaty before considering new powers.

38. Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Council of Ministers of the EEC have yet received proposals from the Assembly concerning direct elections.

Mr. Hattersley

The Assembly's draft convention on direct elections was transmitted to the Council on 24th January.