Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord McNally (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Tuesday, 11 March 2008.

EU: Constitutional Treaty

Question: My Lords, does the Minister recall the words of Aneurin Bevan: ““Why look into the crystal ball when you can read the book?””? Would it not be better if the noble Lord, Lord Lyell, talked to the noble Lord, Lord Forsyth, or another of the many former Conservative Ministers who saw the treaty of Maastricht through the Commons and sat in their places in government? They could explain to him why Maastricht—a far more powerful transfer of power than the Lisbon treaty—was handled by Parliament. Would he not think that good advice?

Answer: My Lords, I trust all noble Lords will have the benefit, as indeed I have, of talking to former Ministers who had the privilege of steering through an important piece of legislation to put the Maastricht treaty on the statute book. I hope noble Lords will take advantage of that in the same way.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 699 c1392
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Constitutions European Union European Constitution Treaty EU reform Treaties Treaty of Lisbon
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk