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Proceeding contribution from Wayne David (Labour) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 1 February 2011. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee of the Whole House (HC) on European Union Bill.


European Union Bill

I would like to refer to one point relating to financial provisions. The Minister has referred to clause 13, which we debated last week, although in insufficient detail in my view. What possible costs could be incurred by provisions of the Bill relating to possible referendums, because the Electoral Commission is given tremendous scope? For example, clause 13(b) states that the Electoral Commission ““may””—I stress that word—"““take whatever steps they think appropriate to promote public awareness of the subject-matter of the referendum.””" We have also discussed the fact that there could be referendums on extremely complex and almost esoteric issues, and the Government of the day would have to make an enormous effort to ensure that there was a reasonable debate among the public on the issue under consideration, rather than some other issue. Will the Minister spell out what sort of cap there could be on the Electoral Commission's expenditure? We have also touched on the possibility that public money would be given to the campaign in favour of a change that a Government want and to the campaign against it. What sort of cap will be included for two opposing campaigns that could be initiated as a result of this legislation?


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
522 c755 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Finance European Union European Parliament members EU action EU institutions Powers Referendums Ministers Treaties Reform
Legislation
European Union Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk