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European Parliament
17. Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role of the European Parliament. [1174]
Mr. Doug Henderson: We look forward to a close and fruitful relationship with the European Parliament, which has an important legislative function in the EC, particularly in areas that are subject to majority voting in the Council of Ministers.
Mr. Lansley: In the coming intergovernmental conference, will the hon. Gentleman resist any extension of powers of co-decision for the European Parliament?
Mr. Henderson: As the hon. Gentleman will be aware from his research background, there are already some such powers. Where there is any extension of qualified majority voting, in many instances we shall be looking for an extension of co-decision.
Mr. Barnes: Why do we not take the high ground in the European Union and argue for fully democratic institutions--including the European Parliament, which should be the fulcrum of democratic activity?
Mr. Henderson: I agree with my hon. Friend that there is a democratic deficit in Europe, partly caused by the Conservative party's inability to elect Members to the European Parliament, so the Conservatives' view is never put. We would welcome an enhanced democratic process in Europe, which is why, in the IGC negotiations, we emphasise the need to extend co-decision in areas of qualified majority voting.
Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones: Does the Minister acknowledge that there is great lack of understanding between Members of this House and Members of the European Parliament? If we are to improve our relationships and thereby underpin the democratic process, what is the Government's view of the plan for greater co-operation between Members of this House and of the European Parliament? Surely that would help us to understand one another much better.
Mr. Henderson: I agree with the hon. Gentleman. It is certainly important that the European Parliament liaises closely with national Parliaments. One reason
why, during the IGC negotiations, we have strongly supported moves to improve transparency is to make information more widely available and to enable sensible dialogue to take place between the European Parliament and national Parliaments.Hong Kong
20. Mr. Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the proposals for the handover ceremony in Hong Kong. [1177]
Mr. Fatchett: The joint handover ceremony between Britain and China in the grand foyer of the new extension to the Hong Kong convention and exhibition centre will begin at about 23.30 hours Hong Kong time on Monday 30 June. The ceremony will be attended by up to 4,000 invited guests, including His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and me.
Mr. Love: In the light of earlier discussion of this issue, will the Government take the opportunity provided by the handover ceremony to discuss with other Governments represented there the importance of a continuing close interest in the affairs of Hong Kong after the ceremony is over?
Mr. Fatchett: I can assure my hon. Friend that the United Kingdom will have a continuing interest in Hong Kong. We have an interest under the joint declaration and through the work of the joint liaison group. We have an economic interest in Hong Kong's continuing success, and a moral and political interest in maintaining human rights and democratic freedoms. The United Kingdom will continue to be an active partner in Hong Kong's future.
Mr. David Davis: Will the Minister clarify whether the Prime Minister will be attending?
Mr. Fatchett: The right hon. Gentleman will know that no decision has yet been taken on my right hon. Friend's attendance. When a decision is made, he will be among the first to be told.
Commonwealth Summit
21. Mr. Alasdair Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the arrangements for the Commonwealth summit in Edinburgh. [1178]
Mr. Tony Lloyd: Arrangements for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Edinburgh in October are progressing well. We are working closely with the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Scottish Office and local police authorities in Scotland to ensure a successful meeting, which will serve the Government's aim of strengthening the Commonwealth.
Mr. Morgan: If the Government's plans for a Scottish Parliament reach fruition, what role would the Minister see for it in future summits?
Mr. Lloyd: The question of a Scottish Parliament does not as far as I am aware arise in this context; nor will it be on the agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Edinburgh. I can, however, assure the hon. Gentleman that the meeting will be a successful advertisement both for the Commonwealth and for Edinburgh and the whole of Scotland.
Miss McIntosh: On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I would like to give the Minister for Europe the
opportunity to withdraw his remark that it is impossible for Conservatives to elect Members of the European Parliament. I am living proof that that is not the case.
Madam Speaker: That is barely a point of order. I am aware of the hon. Lady's status, and I recommend the use of Vacher Dod. I think that the Minister should have something to say on that. He should not be churlish in respect of lady Members.
Mr. Doug Henderson: I am grateful, Madam Speaker. I think that I may inadvertently have said impossible; I meant nearly impossible.
Point of Order
3.31 pm
Mr. Michael Fabricant (Lichfield): On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I wonder whether you have had a request from either the Chancellor of the Exchequer or the Secretary of State for Health to make a statement this afternoon, given that there have been various reports that prescription charges are to be introduced for pensioners.
Madam Speaker: No Minister has informed me of a statement to be made on any issue today.
Orders of the Day
Education (Schools) Bill
Question again proposed, That the amendment be made.
The Chairman of Ways and Means:
I remind the Committee that we are also discussing the following amendments: No. 27, in page 2, line 1, after '(2)', insert 'Subject to subsection (2A),'.
No. 3, in page 2, line 5, after 'or,' insert--
No. 34, in page 2, line 5, after 'or', insert--
No. 28, in page 2, line 10, at end insert--
No. 25, in clause 5, page 5, leave out lines 7 to 17.
Mr. Francis Maude (Horsham):
My right hon. Friend the Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Mr. Forth) moved the amendment in a powerful speech in the small hours of Friday morning. The Committee should not lose sight of what lies behind the amendments. They are neither probing nor wrecking. We will continue to pursue the argument that the Bill is fundamentally bad, that it will destroy and not build and that the Government are mistaken in their determination to ram it through. That, however, is not what the amendments are about.
'(b) in the case of a pupil with an assisted place at a school providing education for children up to the age of 13 but not beyond, at the end of the school year in which he attains the age of 13, or '.
(a) at the end of the school year in which he completes his education within the school where he was provided with an assisted place; or'.
'(2A) Unless the Secretary of State is satisfied that the pupil in question will receive secondary education which is comparable to the primary education which he has received in regard to--
(a) its religious content;
(b) the curriculum provided;
(c) opportunities for sport;
(d) size of classes; and
(e) single-sex provision,
he shall determine that that pupil shall continue to hold that place during the period which he receives secondary education.'.
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