Section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 10:40 pm on 12 December 2000.

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Photo of Mr Teddy Taylor Mr Teddy Taylor Conservative, Rochford and Southend East 10:40, 12 December 2000

I certainly will, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and I shall bring my remarks to a close.

Should the motion go to a Committee or should it be considered on the Floor of the House? Will the Government say specifically and clearly what we will be considering? Will we simply consider the Government sending a piece of paper to the European Commission saying, "That's it. If you don't like it, too bad"? Will the Government say that we must send it by a certain date? What will happen if we do not send the report, and what will happen if the Commission takes the view that it is either inaccurate or it does not deal with the policy issues as effectively as it should?

We are considering a motion about whether reports should go to a Committee or to the House as a whole. Before we decide whether they should go to a small group of experts or should be considered by all of us, it is terribly important for us to know whether this is a serious issue or just a bit of fun.