Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 12 July 2007.

EU: Parliament

Question: My Lords, when and if this sensible move ever takes place, will the Government at least ensure that ““consolidation””, which is the word used in the Question, is not a cover for an enormous enlargement of the European Parliament and its associated bureaucracies? Given the Government’s wish to see a much greater role for national parliaments, although it is reflected only dimly in the proposed amending treaty, is it not important to see that the burdens of the European Parliament are reduced and not expanded when the whole thing is put together in a less expensive and more effective way?

Answer: My Lords, certainly the objectives of consolidation would be to control expenditure more effectively, and, I might add, the carbon footprint of European parliamentarians and their civil servants, which is a not inconsiderable factor in this monthly move to Strasbourg from Brussels. The noble Lord is right that we want to see national parliaments play an increased role in the development of European policy. The Government made that explicit in their response in the recent renegotiations.

Secondary information