HC Deb 03 March 1976 vol 906 cc670-2W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what would be the average population per representative in the European Parliament for each member State if the allocation proposals outlined in paragraph 16 of Command Paper No. 6399 were adopted.

Mr. Hattersley

Based on the 1973 population figures which were used by the European Assembly in preparing its proposals on direct elections, the approximate figures would be:

Belgium 422,000
Denmark 294,000
Germany 869,000
France 795,000
Ireland 231,000
Italy 823,000
Luxembourg 58,000
Netherlands 493,000
United Kingdom 833,000

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his colleagues in the EEC relative to those persons standing for election to the European Parliament who may also be members of the Welsh and Scottish National Assemblies.

Mr. Hattersley

I see no need for discussion of this point in the Community. The question of eligibility for election to the European Assembly is dealt with in paragraphs 26 and 36 of the Green Paper (Cmnd. 6399).

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many seats in a European

Assembly Wales would have under the draft Convention proposals of the Assembly (a) as part of the United Kingdom, and (b) as a separate self-governing State.

Mr. Hattersley

The Assembly's proposal is one of a number which have been put forward for the distribution of seats between the member States. After agreement has been reached in the Community it will be for national decision how the seats allocated to the United Kingdom should be distributed. In considering these arrangements there can be no question of envisaging the break up of the United Kingdom or of any other member State.