Clause 2 - Recommendations by Electoral Commission - relating to changes in number of United Kingdom MEPs
European Parliament (Representation) Bill
3:10 pm
Mr William Cash (Stone, Conservative)
I accept that ruling, Mr. Cook, and simply add this. In considering the recommendation that the Electoral Commission would arrive at, we must remember that some arrangements under the present system give rise to difficulties and, as I said, can lead to tyranny. In certain European countries, if people disagree with their leaders' proposals they can be removed from the list. If someone disagreed with Chancellor Kohl in Germany, for example, they were struck off the list and that was that. Of course, he has gonehe appears to have fallen on his sword. Having said that, the reality is that there are many objections to the way in which the system functions, and the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome has done us a service.
The hon. Gentleman also referred to what happened when the European Parliamentary Elections Bill of 1997—98 failed. As he pointed out, it was thrown out by the House of Lords, and subsequently brought in under the Parliament Acts procedure on 14 January 1999. Although it might be interesting, it is unnecessary to engage in a fuller discussion about the relative merits of those systems, particularly given what the European Scrutiny Committee has to say. Its report will be debated fairly soon, in which case an opportunity to go into some of those questions may arise.
All I need do is say that I am grateful for the opportunity to register my few points. In conclusion, I thank the hon. Gentleman for seeking to get something off the ground, which did not quite succeed.
Question put, That the clause stand part of the Bill:—
The Committee divided: Ayes 10, Noes 3.