Orders of the Day — European Assembly Elections Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 7 July 1977.

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Photo of Mr Brynmor John Mr Brynmor John , Pontypridd 12:00, 7 July 1977

There will be an opportunity to debate this matter, but I notice that the marker talked about yesterday has now become a mere marker. So the hon. Gentleman and his party are retreating steadily on the way forward.

Consideration was given not only to mere proportions and populations but to the geographical difficulties. Although fractions can be tyrannical, the fact is that Scotland is being given eight seats when its proportion based on electorate is about seven and a half seats, and Wales is being given four seats when its due would be 4·07 seats.

But what is not and has not been considered by other members who have asked for extra representation for Wales and Scotland is that England, which on the pure proportion of electorate to seats would be entitled to 67·4 seats, is being given 66 seats. It is losing about one and a half seats.

I say frankly to my hon. Friend the Member for Swansea, East, whose nationality and, therefore, whose sympathies I share on this point, and to the hon. Member for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire that, given a total of 81 seats, the proportions given to one part of the United Kingdom can be raised only at the expense of another part. I believe that the Select Committee and the Government have hit upon the right proportions, and they are the proportions that the Government commend to the House in the Bill and that the Government believe are right and proper in all the circumstances.