Proceeding contribution from Rob Marris (Labour) in the House of Commons on Monday, 25 February 2008. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee of the Whole House (HC) on European Union (Amendment) Bill.
European Union (Amendment) Bill
Let me make three points. If the version of the consolidated treaties that the hon. Gentleman is brandishing is the same as the one as I have in my hand, it is dated 20 November 2006, so it is completely out of date. Secondly, I stressed the word ““consistency”” in the quote that he cited, not the word ““ensure””. Thirdly, the hon. Gentleman rightly said that I am occasionally known for being legalistic. May I suggest that he does some research on the arcane way in which the European Union uses the word ““shall””? I have done such research, and on many occasions in European Union treaties, shall means not ““must””, but ““has the power to””. Bizarre as that is, it is the legalistic interpretation of the word, and the hon. Gentleman, as the shadow Minister for Europe, really ought to know that.
Secondary information
- Type
- Proceeding contribution
- Reference
- 472 c870
- Session
- 2007-08
- Chamber / Committee
- House of Commons chamber
- Subjects
- Development aid European Union EU common foreign and security policy EU institutions Treaties EU aid Treaty of Lisbon
- Legislation
- European Union (Amendment) Bill 2007-08
- Link
- View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk
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