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European Union (Amendment) Bill

My Lords, the good book talks about making bricks without straw. I remain wholly puzzled about the proposition the noble Lord has put forward. I well understand the need for probing—it is the job of any opposition, and the Opposition are doing it thoroughly—where there are uncertainties, lacunae, matters to be uncovered or potential dangers foreseen, but this is not one of those matters. In no way can the treaty be clearer about the proposition. The treaty was quoted in Committee. The president of the Council cannot also be President of the European Commission. The treaty makes clear that: "““Members of the Commission may not during their term of office engage in any other occupation””," and that they, "““shall neither seek nor take instructions from any Government or from any other … body””." So there can be no uncertainty about the matter. It is crystal clear and I hope we can skate speedily over this non-issue.