HC Deb 21 November 2001 vol 375 cc334-5W
Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy towards the establishment of a pan-Union referendum following the next Intergovernmental Conference. [14807]

Peter Hain

Treaty change is a matter for member states to decide by unanimity in accordance with their own constitutional requirements. In the United Kingdom, this involves a ratification procedure requiring legislation. It is right that Parliament should decide on the results the Government achieve at Intergovernmental Conferences.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the European Women's Lobby concerning(a) its campaign and (b) receiving EU funding. [14817]

Peter Hain

I have not received representations from the European Women's Lobby.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy towards a second chamber of the European Parliament. [14820]

Peter Hain

The Prime Minister has proposed that representatives of national parliaments be more involved in European matters through a Second Chamber of the European Parliament which could review the EU' s work and provide democratic oversight at a European level of the Common Foreign and Security Policy.

The role of national parliaments in the European architecture is one of the agenda items for the next Intergovernmental Conference in 2004.