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Business of the House (Lisbon Treaty)

The Lisbon treaty is the fifth such treaty since the United Kingdom’s entry into the EU in 1973. It is good that procedures for scrutiny evolved and improved with each of those treaties. In the past, Governments of all complexions sought to use guillotine motions to organise discussions on Bills to implement EU treaties, if necessary. Today’s business motion sets out a programme for debate on the Lisbon treaty that will ensure structure and balance. I have heard what hon. Members have said about the lack of time and the bids for more time to debate amendments and themes, and I have a great deal of sympathy for such bids and arguments. One is tempted to say, ““God save us from experiments and innovations when it comes to the proceedings of this House.”” I have been here long enough to know that, but I also know that the more straightforward business motion for the Nice treaty was adopted without debate. Today’s motion represents a significant innovation in procedure, and it is good that we have the opportunity to debate it fully. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary set out the scope and nature of the Lisbon treaty on Second Reading, when he made it clear that it will improve the way in which the EU works. It will adapt the EU’s institutions to a Union of 27; it will ensure that the voices of Europe’s nations are heard more loudly in foreign policy; it will bring national Parliaments into day-to-day EU decision making to strengthen subsidiarity; and it will focus the EU on the big external challenges, such as climate change and migration. If the treaty is unique, then it is in this regard: it marks the end of the long process of institutional reform—if the treaty is ratified around Europe, then that process is well and truly over. It will make valuable changes, and it will turn Europe from institutional reform to the real priorities of its citizens. We need to reflect that balance in our discussions in this House, which is something that the programme motion provides.