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European Union (Amendment) Bill

I would like to challenge the hon. Gentleman’s use of the word ““modest””. I think it is good that the size of the Commission will be reduced, because I want an effective Commission, but we must consider the institutional structures. There is a basic principle that at any one time every country should be represented in the Commission. Once the Commission’s size is reduced that will no longer happen. That is significant, so the treaty contains big changes. Some may be good, others not so good, but the word ““modest”” does not apply.