§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the draft document on direct elections being discussed by the Council of Ministers is based on the draft Convention agreed by the Assembly in February 1975,Official Report, Volume 18, column 32; if it is consistent with the summary printed in theOfficial Report, 10th March 1976, column 274; and, if not, whether he will specify the changes already agreed.
§ Mr. HattersleyThe draft document reflects discussions by Community Ministers, who have naturally taken into account the draft submitted by the Assembly as well as factors which have emerged during their examination over a number of months. The substantive provisions remain generally as set out in the summary published in theOfficial Report on 10th March, apart from the changes to take account of the decisions reached in the European Council in April and July. I would also refer my hon. 725W Friend to the answer which I gave on 30th July to my right hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Sir G. de Freitas).