§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals to increase democracy and to reduce poverty he will be submitting to the European Council Heads of Government review meeting in Madrid. [6275]
§ Mr. David DavisAt the Madrid European Council decisions were taken on the launch of the 1996 intergovernmental conference, at which we will continue to work to improve the democratic legitimacy of the European Union including a voting system which better reflects population and an enhanced role for national parliaments. There was also discussion at Madrid of employment, competitiveness and deregulation, all of which are important factors in reducing poverty.