HC Deb 13 February 1976 vol 905 cc448-9W
Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, as part of his forthcoming White Paper on direct elections to the European Assembly, he will state the views of Her Majesty's Government concerning the future rôle and powers of this body.

Mr. Hattersley

No. The purpose of the Paper will be to provide a basis for discussion of the modalities of direct elections on the basis of the Assembly's existing rôle and powers. That is the basis on which the proposed direct elections will take place.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, as part of his forthcoming White Paper on direct elections to the European Assembly, he will, if necessary in an Appendix, summarise the proposals of each of the seven documents mentioned in his Written Answer on 6th February last, Official Report, c, 786–7.]

Mr. Hattersley

No. As the Government's Paper will deal with matters arising from the introduction of direct elections it will cover only one of the documents referred to, namely, the European Assembly's draft Convention, which is the subject of current discussions in the Community.