House of Commons Hansard Debates for 4 Feb 1993

Mr. Michael Lord (Suffolk, Central) : Nothing in my right hon. Friend's statement will be more welcome than his announcement that a bypass is to be provided at Scole, on the Norfolk-Suffolk border, which he and I know very well. There is immense pressure on the roads in East Anglia. This arises from commercial as well as holiday traffic. There will be delight that the great disruption that occurs in the area throughout the year--but particularly at holiday times--is to be cured. I urge my right hon. Friend to do all he can, in the slightly longer term, to have the A140 dualled from one end to the other.

Mr. MacGregor : I know that my hon. Friend is closely interested in this road, as, indeed, I am. I am aware also of his interest in the A140, which goes through his constituency. He knows that that matter is being examined at the moment by consultants, as the first stage in the whole process. On the question of the Scole bypass, which is in the programme for next year, my hon. Friend will know that in December I made an announcement about the local authority aspect. I am glad to be able to confirm now that the trunk road aspect will be completed at the same time. My hon. Friend is quite right in saying that this will be warmly welcomed.

Mr. Peter L. Pike (Burnley) : While the announcement that the M65 is to be linked to the M6 and the national motorway network is extremely welcome news for Burnley and north-east Lancashire, are there any plans for associated steps to improve the M6 between the M61 and the M55--a length of road whose capacity is becoming increasingly overstretched?

Mr. MacGregor : There is a programme in respect of this matter. If I may, I shall write to the hon. Gentleman about the specific points he has raised.

Mr. Henry Bellingham (Norfolk, North-West) : Can the Secretary of State confirm that the representations made to him by myself, the borough council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk and the local business community that the A47 at Walpole-Tilney bypass should be started have been listened to and that the project will go ahead? Can he tell the House when draft orders in respect of the flyover at the Hardwick roundabout will be issued?

Mr. MacGregor : My hon. Friend and I have corresponded and talked on a number of occasions about the second point that he raised, and he knows that it was raised with me recently when I paid a visit to his constituency. As he knows, there have been technical delays in respect of the orders. The position has not changed since the last time we talked, but I shall continue to watch it very carefully.

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I can confirm that the Walpole-Tilney High End bypass is included in next year's programme. The total cost of the scheme will be £23 million. It is a further development of the upgrading of the A47 to dual carriageway status. I know how important it is to everyone in Norfolk that that upgrading should continue so that the routes from Norfolk to the midlands may be developed in the same way as the routes to London and the south-east, which are being very substantially developed at the moment.

Mr. Eric Martlew (Carlisle) : I note that, of the £1.1 billion expenditure that the Secretary of State announced today, only £11 million will be spent on the northern region. That is a matter about which I have some concern. My concern would be lessened if the Government were to make available to British Rail the money that it needs to upgrade the west coast main line. If communications in the north of England are to be improved, that line must be upgraded.

Mr. MacGregor : We discussed those matters on Tuesday. On a quick count, the figure for the northern region is £11 million, but for the north-west, which the west coast mainline also affects, the figure is a good deal higher.

Sir Roger Moate (Faversham) : Is my right hon. Friend aware that my constituents, including Labour voters--I know, because they tell me so-- fully understand the importance for jobs and economic growth of the new road programme? They will have taken careful note of the hostility of the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, East (Mr. Prescott) to the package of road building. As my constituency has one of the highest unemployment rates in the south-east of England--indeed, in the country--my right hon. Friend will know of the tremendous welcome that there will be in my district for the dualling of the A249 from the motorway through to Kingsferry bridge. I express my thanks for that decision after so many years of waiting. Will my right hon. Friend and my hon. Friend the Minister for Roads and Traffic continue the help and encouragement that they are giving to the joint public and private sector project for the development of the second Swale crossing, which continues the A249 to the Isle of Sheppey?

Mr. MacGregor : I am grateful to my hon. Friend and should like to pay tribute to the work that he has done in frequently pressing for the scheme. He and I have had a number of exchanges on the scheme, and I am well aware of its importance to his constituency and his part of the world. The total cost of the scheme is £47 million. On my hon. Friend's second point, I assure him that my hon. Friend the Minister and I will continue to pursue the project that he mentioned, although I cannot make any promises.

Several hon. Members rose--

Madam Speaker : Order. I am now bringing questions on the statement to a close.

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Points of Order

4.42 pm

Mr. Michael Connarty (Falkirk, East) : On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Yesterday, the Secretary of State for Scotland may have inadvertently misled the House in an answer to a question on water privatisation. He said that his office had received about 3,000 submissions on water privatisation, but my hon. Friends the Members for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan) and for the Fife constituencies and I delivered 90,000 individual signed submissions on 25 and 29 January. Is there some way to correct the error, as it gives the impression that not many people are writing to the Secretary of State about the issue?

Madam Speaker : That is not a point of order for the Chair, as I am sure that the hon. Gentleman appreciates. All Ministers and Members are responsible for the statements they make in the House.

Mr. George Foulkes (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) : On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I think that you were understanding about my earlier frustration when I tried to ask a question about bypasses in my constituency. You rightly said that the Secretary of State for Transport was not responsible for that. I have been trying to arrange a meeting with the Secretary of State for Scotland, or even the Under-Secretary of State, for a number of months, but they keep refusing. There has been no statement in the House similar to the one that the Secretary of State for Transport gave very well. Can you, Madam Speaker, do something to get the Secretary of State for Scotland to come to the Dispatch Box and make an announcement on the roads programme in Scotland similar to the one that has been given in relation to England?

Madam Speaker : The hon. Gentleman is aware that I have no authority to demand that a Secretary of State comes before the House. I very much understand the

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frustration of all Back Benchers who seek to put questions to various Ministers. I am sorry for the hon. Gentleman ; my heart bleeds for him, as his is a hard-luck case.

Mr. David Trimble (Upper Bann) : Further to that point of order, Madam Speaker. I wish to express the annoyance that we in Northern Ireland feel about the matter. This morning my constituency office faxed me a letter about roads from one of the Northern Ireland Ministers. It is particularly galling to find that the last page of the statement delivered here refers to "national roads". Hon. Members for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are unable even to ask questions about the national roads that have not been announced in the Chamber.

Madam Speaker : I think that the hon. Gentleman might have sought to raise that issue with the Leader of the House in business questions. I remember calling him as he caught my eye then. Mr. Foulkes rose --

Madam Speaker : No, I will not take any further points of order.

Mr. Foulkes : I did not catch your eye, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker : I know : that is why the hon. Gentleman is frustrated.

Mr. Bob Cryer (Bradford, South) : On a different point of order, Madam Speaker. I seek to assist the process whenever I can. It occurred to me that it would be helpful to the House if, when statements are made about long lists of projects, they could be placed in the Vote Office, not when the Minister rises but well beforehand. That would allow hon. Members to get hold of a copy to see whether their constituencies are affected, which would cut out those people who ask whether their constituencies are affected and whether roads are being built. It would clarify questions to bring a sharpness and point to the interchange, which is occasionally, lamentably, absent.

Madam Speaker : That is a matter that might be taken up with the Leader of the House.

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Orders of the Day

European Communities (Amendment) Bill

Considered in Committee [Progress, 1 February]

[ Mr. Michael Morris

in the Chair ]

Clause 1

Treaty on European Union

4.47 pm

Mr. Nigel Spearing (Newham, South) : On a point of order, Mr. Morris. You may be aware that the votes at the close of proceedings in Committee last week gave rise to much mystification about what is afoot which has also been expressed in circles outside the House, particularly among those who only occasionally sit in on or view our proceedings. I think, and hope that you will be able to confirm, that the difficulties that arise are not due to the proceedings of the Committee and are not within the discretion of the Chair. They arise from the brevity of the Bill, and the length and complexity of the treaty that we are considering, which amends another treaty in order to form yet a third treaty that we have not seen. Difficulties are caused by the large number of amendments that can be tabled, a combination of votes on closures, suspensions of the rules and procedural questions that are not substantive.

In future, to make things more difficult, we face the prospect of votes on substantive questions that have already been debated--the time of the decision and the vote may be separated by several weeks. If you, with your knowledge as the Chair, can confirm those facts, it might help you and the Committee. The problems we face relate not to the proceedings as set out in the Order Paper or your discretion, but to the nature of the Bill and the treaties.

A few sittings ago, Mr. Morris, you kindly said that you and your Chairmen's Panel would consider the possibility of marking new amendments selected for debate on the informal circulation of provisional selections. You said that consultation would be needed, which we understand. You will know that it is not unknown in Committee for the Chair to draw to the attention of the Committee additional amendments of particular importance-- indeed, any that have been added to the amendment paper.

In the light of that semi-precedent, I was wondering whether you would consider whether, at the beginning of every sitting after today's--I think that we are to have a short break--you could announce verbally any additional amendments that you have selected since the informal selection. That would greatly assist members of the Committee, even those who have been Members of Parliament for some time. I am not asking for a ruling now, but I hope that you will consider the matter in the next day or two.

The Chairman of Ways and Means (Mr. Michael Morris) : As I understand it, the Committee is to be given a week off, and I shall seriously consider the points made by the hon. Gentleman. I think that there is some merit in his latter point. On the earlier issue that he raised, he was right to say that the Chair is constrained by the rules of

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Committee procedure. The only addition that I can make to the comments of the hon. Gentleman is that we have spent more than five hours on points of order, which have not been totally productive.

Mr. Nicholas Budgen (Wolverhampton, South-West) : On a point of order, Mr. Morris. I hope to spread an atmosphere of good will and consensus. An unpleasant suspicion has arisen--which I have tried to banish from my mind--that our proceedings have been conducted by a conspiracy between the two Front-Bench teams, to the exclusion of many other hon. Members.

May I make a suggestion? It is obvious that the Government are not now as urgent in their desire to get the matter dealt with by the House as was apparent at one stage, and a large number of hon. Members from the regions, and especially from Northern Ireland, wish to discuss the matter fully. Rather than having a conspiracy between those in power who try to control the proceedings, perhaps it could be announced at this stage that consideration of this part of the Bill will continue no later than 10 o'clock tonight.

That will be for the convenience of the House. It will also enable those who live in the regions of the United Kingdom--

Mr. George Foulkes (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) : And the other nations of the United Kingdom.

Mr. Budgen : However they may be described, the Committee will not be run in an aggressive English way which makes them feel that their contributions cannot properly be heard at a convenient time.

The Chairman : I am most grateful for the harmonious way in which the hon. Gentleman has raised the point of order. Of course, the point he makes has absolutely nothing to do with the Chair.

Mr. David Trimble (Upper Bann) : Further to that point of order, Mr. Morris. As you can see, the amendments selected for discussion today dealing with the Committee for the Regions and the cohesion fund are matters in which hon. Members representing Northern Ireland constituencies have a very keen interest. The cohesion fund will pour billions of pounds into our near neighbour and aid its competitive position and disadvantage us, so many hon. Members representing Northern Ireland constituencies are anxious to participate in the debate at a civilised hour. We have obligations some distance away and travel is difficult between here and Northern Ireland. It may not be entirely within your control, Mr. Morris, but we would be very glad if proceedings could be conducted at a civilised hour, and, if that is not possible today, that the amendment be carried over for debate when we return to the issue.

The Chairman : I share the hon. Gentleman's views about civilised hours. I was aware that hon. Members from the Province were likely to wish to catch my eye, so the sooner we get on with the job, the sooner they will be successful.

Mr. Michael Alison (Selby) : Further to that point of order, Mr. Morris. In view of the interesting suggestion made by my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Mr. Budgen) that a large number of colleagues from all parts of the House, particularly from Northern Ireland, might want to speak, and that

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proceedings should perhaps be terminated at 10 o'clock tonight, will you consider the possibility of putting a limit of 10 minutes on speeches after 6 o'clock?

The Chairman : That would have to be a voluntary limit, but it has much to commend it.

Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North) : Further to that point of order, Mr. Morris. I recognise that we are in Committee, but as you will know, there has been a good deal of informal discussion and debate on what is known as the Jopling report, which expresses the view of a number of Members about the hours that the House sits and the general desire that it should not go beyond 10 o'clock. Bearing in mind the fact that we are in Committee, would it not be useful if hon. Members knew in advance whether or not we would sit beyond 10 o'clock? At present, no information is given- -I assume that that applies to both sides of the Committee--and we do not know whether we shall sit beyond 10 o'clock depending on whether the Government decide to move the necessary business motion at 10 o'clock and whether they get a majority. It is a rather odd and unfortunate way of proceeding, and I wonder whether you could advise us accordingly.

The Chairman : It is not for me to advise, as I know no more than the hon. Gentleman.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Tristan Garel-Jones) : Further to that point of order, Mr. Morris. I refer tthe point of order made by my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South- West (Mr. Budgen) and make my point in the same spirit as he made his. We all appreciate his anxiety to return to his constituency this evening. He is very conscientious about that, but it should be placed on the record that the only conspiracy of which I am aware is between my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-West and Opposition Members such as the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing).

Mr. Tony Marlow (Northampton, North) : On a point of order, Mr. Morris. I am sorry about my right hon. Friend's intervention, because it is my intention to add to the good will and harmony. As you know, Mr. Morris, one of the most important issues we are debating today is the cohesion fund. The House will take a decision today on whether we want to include the cohesion fund in the Bill.

Imagine my consternation and surprise when I discovered that the European Commission has drafted a regulation on the basis of the cohesion fund without knowing whether the House would accept it. You are a man of great personality and influence, Mr. Morris, and I wonder whether, on behalf of the House, you could get in touch with the European institutions and ask them to delay taking those initiatives until the House has taken its decision.

The Chairman : I have a full-time job dealing with the Committee, and it is certainly not my job to contact the Commission.

Sir Russell Johnston (Inverness, Nairn and Lochaber) : On a point of order, Mr. Morris. I refer to the point of order raised by the right hon. Member for Selby (Mr. Alison) and I should like to ask, first, whether the

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10-minute rule has ever been applied to a Committee of the whole House ; and, secondly, whether it can be applied in that way.

The Chairman : I regret to say that it cannot be applied ; therefore, it is a voluntary rule. However, the list of hon. Members who have contributed to the debate includes some who have made most powerful and persuasive speeches in 10, 11 or 12 minutes which read exceedingly well, while some have taken several hours and are rather difficult to follow when read afterwards.

Mr. Trimble rose--

The Chairman : I hope that it is a new point of order, as the hon. Gentleman made a plea that he wanted to get cracking.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield) : Further to the points of order which have been raised with such good humour and sense this afternoon, Mr. Morris. The groups of amendments that we are to consider this afternoon, and hopefully on another occasion when we consider the Bill, have a fundamental impact on the country. You will be aware that one or two major companies such as Leyland DAF, which was the subject of a statement in the House, have gone into administrative receivership and that therefore employment in some of the basic industries

The Chairman : Order. The hon. Gentleman has been in the House a long time. He is a member of the Chairmen's Panel and he should know that he should put a specific question to the Chair and not adduce an argument.

Mr. Winterton : I am seeking briefly, and in the same vein as my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Mr. Budgen), your advice and support for the views that have been put forward by hon. Members from all sides of the House about the importance of the group of amendments and the need to ensure that hon. Members from all parts of the United Kingdom participate because all parts of the United Kingdom are influenced. I make my plea at this early stage that such an important debate should continue into a second day.

The Chairman : The hon. Gentleman did not define a day in the first place, and his argument had already been put.

Mr. Trimble rose --

The Chairman : Is this a new point of order?

Mr. Trimble : Yes. I am sorry to try your patience on this matter, Mr. Morris, but it has just been drawn to my attention--perhaps this is evidence of the conspiracy the Minister thinks does not exist--that, if the Committee were sitting upstairs, we would know in advance what the timing was. Perhaps it might be a good idea if some similar arrangment could be adopted here.

The Chairman : I am not sure which hon. Gentleman pointed that out, but it was not totally accurate information.

Rev. Ian Paisley (Antrim, North) : On a point of order, Mr. Morris. As has already been said by my hon. Friend the Member for Upper Bann (Mr. Trimble), the debate on the cohesion fund is important to all parts of the United Kingdom, particularly to Northern Ireland, which will be very badly treated. The southern Irish will receive between

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£3 million and £6 million, while we will be left out altogether. Can you assure me that, for the first time, you will favour some hon. Members representing Northern Ireland, and myself particularly, and call them to speak to the Committee?

The Chairman : Special pleading falls on deaf ears, but I recognise the importance of all parts of the United Kingdom.

Mr. Roger Knapman (Stroud) : On a point of order, Mr. Morris. Bearing in mind all that has been said and the difficulties of hon. Members from all parts of the United Kingdom who wish to speak, and bearing in mind the fact that, during debate on the Single European Act, the average number of amendments was three whereas in this instance we have 27 amendments and six new clauses, would it be helpful and convenient--

The Chairman : Order. The hon. Gentleman raised that point of order at our last sitting, and I pointed out to him then that his submission was not accurate. Frankly, it is no more accurate today than it was on Monday.

Mr. Knapman : Yes, Mr. Moris, but on that occasion, although the point of order was similar, there were 12 amendments grouped together, whereas on this occasion--

The Chairman : Order. I made it clear to the hon. Gentleman that the number of amendments was totally irrelevant. There can be two or three ; there can be 20 or 40. The number of amendments is irrelevant to the length of time that we debate an issue. My job is to ensure that we have a full and fair debate on the totality of such amendments as are down for selection on the day.

Without further ado, therefore, we come to amendment No. 13. 5 pm

Dr. John Cunningham (Copeland) : I beg to move amendment No. 13, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert

(except Title XIV on pages 36 and 37 of Cm 1934)'.

The Chairman : With this, it will be convenient also to discuss the following : Amendment No. 28, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert

(provided that in the implementation of Articles 198(a), (b) and (c) on pages 54 and 55 of Cm 1934 concerning the Committee of the Regions, the 24 members and 24 alternate members of that Committee shall be drawn from elected local government representatives.)'. Amendment No. 102, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert (except Article 198(a) on page 54 of Cm 1934 which relates to the Committee of the Regions)'.

Amendment No. 103, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert (except Article 130(a) on page 36 of Cm 1934 which relates to regional policy)'.

Amendment No. 106, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert (provided that implementation of Articles 198(a), (b) and (c) on pages 54 and 55 of Cm 1934 establishing the Committee of the Regions, shall make provision for the direct election of the members and alternate members of that Committee to represent Wales ; that those voting in such direct elections shall be local authority elected members, Members representing Welsh constituencies and Members of the European Parliament representing Welsh constituencies ; and that there shall be two separate elections the first of which shall provide for representation of the counties of South and Mid Glamorgan and Gwent, and the second for the counties of Gwynedd, Clwyd, Dyfed, Powys and West Glamorgan)'.

Amendment No. 107, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert

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(provided that in the implementation of Articles 198(a), (b) and (c) on pages 54 and 55 of Cm 1934 establishing the Committee of the Regions, the members of that Committee representing Wales and their alternates shall be directly elected by a vote of local authority elected members from Wales, Members elected from Welsh constituencies and Members of the European Parliament representing Welsh constituencies and by none other).'.

Amendment No. 111, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert (provided that on the implementation of Articles 198 (a) (b) and (c) on pages 54 and 55 of Cm 1934 establishing the Committee of the Regions, the members of that Committee shall include the eight members of the European Parliament representing Scottish constituencies).'.

Amendment No. 156, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert except Article 130a'.

Amendment No. 157, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert except Article 130b'.

Amendment No. 158, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert except Article 130c'.

Amendment No. 187, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert except Article 3(j)'.

Amendment No. 198, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert except Article 4b on page 11 of Cm 1934'.

Amendment No. 229, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert except Article 198e'.

Amendment No. 248, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert except Article 130d'.

Amendment No. 249, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert except Article 130e'.

Amendment No. 273, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert (provided that in the implementation of Articles 198(a), (b) and (c) on pages 54 and 55 of Cm 1934 concerning the Committee of the Regions, the 24 members and 24 alternate members of that Committee shall be drawn from elected local government representatives, and shall include representatives from each English Standard Planning Region as well as representation from Scotland and Wales.)'. Amendment No. 332, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert (except Article 198a on page 56 of Cm 1934)'.

Amendment No. 425, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert provided that United Kingdom members of the Committee of the Regions established under article 198 (a) on page 54 of Cm 1934, of whom at least nine shall be representatives of Wales, shall not be nominated until Parliament has had the opportunity of considering a Bill introduced by Her Majesty's Government to provide for an elected all-Wales forum to elect the representatives of Wales who shall reflect the political balance on the forum, and providing for a monthly report to be made by the representatives to the forum.'. Amendment No. 431, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert (provided that implementation of Articles 198(a) (b) and (c) on pages 54 and 55 of Cm 1934, establishing the Committee of the Regions, shall make provision for the direct election of the members and alternate members of that Committee to represent Wales and that those voting in such direct elections shall be local authority elected members).'.

Amendment No. 432, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert (provided that in the implementation of Articles 198(a), (b) and (c) on pages 54 and 55 of Cm 1934, establishing the Committee of the Regions, the members of that Committee representing Wales and their alternates shall be directly elected by a vote of local authority elected members from Wales.).'

Amendment No. 438, in page 1, line 9, after II', insert , except that articles 198(a), (b) and (c) on pages 54 and 55 of Cm 1934 may only have effect if the nominated members and alternate members of the committee of regions are numerically and politically representative in proportion to the populations of the countries of the United Kingdom, and the Standard Economic Planning Regions of England,'.

Amendment No. 418, in page 1, line 9, after IV', insert (except Articles 166, 168 and 170 on pages 76 and 77 of Cm 1934).'.

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Amendment No. 56, in page 1, line 10, after 1992', insert but not Article 198 in Title II thereof'.

Amendment No. 62, in page 1, line 10, after 1992', insert but not the Protocol on the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.'.

Amendment No. 150, in page 1, line 10, after 1992', insert but not Article 170 in Title IV thereof'.

Amendment No. 223, in page 1, line 10, after 1992', insert excluding Article 194 thereof'.

Amendment No. 226, in page 1, line 10, after 1992', insert but not the Protocol on Economic and Social Cohesion'.

New clause 26-- Committee of the regions --

In meeting its obligations under Article 198 (a) on page 54 of Cm 1934 Her Majesty's Government shall ensure that at least eight representatives of the Committee of the regions are from Scotland and that the Secretary of State for Scotland shall select such representatives from a list of candidates submitted to him by any organisation representative of Scottish local authorities.'. New clause 41-- Regional representation--

In discharging its responsibilites under Article 198(a) on page 54 of Cm 1934 the Government shall ensure that those serving on the proposed Committee of the Regions shall reflect, on a proportional basis, votes cast for political parties in Scotland and Wales at the most recently held election for the European Parliament.'. New clause 61-- Economic and Social Cohesion (No. 1)

Her Majesty's Government shall report to Parliament annually on the implementation of their obligation under Article 130b to conduct their economic policy in such a way as in addition, to attain the objectives set out in Article 130a.'.

New clause 62-- Economic and Social Cohesion (No. 2)

Her Majesty's Government shall report to Parliament on the European Commission report, provided for in Article 130b, on the progress made towards achieving economic and social cohesion ; and no action may be taken by the Government in respect of any accompanying proposals, as provided for in Article 130b, without the Commission report first having been considered by the House of Commons.'. New clause 63-- Committee of the regions--

In meeting its obligations under Article 198(a) on page 54 of Cm 1934 Her Majesty's Government shall ensure that at least eight representatives of the Committee of the regions are from Scotland and that they shall be elected Community, District or Regional councillors, elected by an electoral college or colleges of councillors under a system of proportional representation.'. New clause 64-- Representation on Committee of Regions--

Before Her Majesty's Government discharge its responsibilities under Article 198(a) on page 54 of Cm 1934, Parliament shall have had the opportunity of considering a Bill to provide that at least four of the United Kingdom members nominated to the Committee of the Regions shall be from Wales and shall be directly elected by the people of Wales.'.

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