Written question asked by Mike Weatherley (Conservative) on Wednesday, 21 January 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 23 January 2015. It was answered by David Lidington (Conservative) on Wednesday, 28 January 2015 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

European Parliament

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to bring about reform of the two seat operation of the European Parliament.

Answer: The UK’s position is well known among other Member States; we are in favour of a single seat. The current arrangements are expensive, impractical and indefensible on environmental grounds. A move to a single seat would require Treaty change and the common accord of all Member States. We welcome the support from within the European Parliament for the move to a single seat. Pressure from Members of the European Parliament themselves to make this change should help push this issue up the political agenda throughout the European Union.

Secondary information