European elections, 1979

Polling day in the United Kingdom for • The elections be held at the same will • Northern Ireland w·,11 b t the first direct elections to the European ea I u.,.., time in all countries, within a period mem b er seat with voti Parliament will be Thursday, June 7, from a Thursday to the following Transferable Vote. nn hy S.-.;;,., 1979. Other countries of the European Sunday. Each country will choose to Community (sometimes called the poll on one of these days; but the Common Market) will be voting over the count will not begin until the last • Only those on the normal . • four-day period to Sunday, June 10; polling station has closed. reg, st er ( inc· 1uding peers,~.e,""= • · "' •· and the results should be known early to vote. ·.,. ;><·.,, on Monday, June 11. • Members of national parliaments will These dates were at last decided by the be able to stand for and sit in the European Council ('summit') on April 7, elected European Parliament. • ~ut'. unlike elections to V.e... '.-,..,,.. .. ,. 1978. it ~,.11 be possible for peer!, ,i· , · • ·· The nine Community countries are now ministers of religion to star>''. The arrangements for the elections at in the process of ratifying these arrange­ European level were fixed, in principle, in September 1976. ments and passing the necessary • The Parliamentary Bouno.i·. electoral laws. France, Italy, Germany, Commissions have thetas• ,., ., .,.,.,. .. • The elected Parliament will have 410 the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and England, Scotland and\\ a•·-. . . •. · . / members. Luxembourg will use Proportional constituencies. Suggestoa : .. ,--,,.,. .,.· Representation, either with national or for England and Wales,.,,,, . .,; . , ,· • France, Germany, Italy and the regional party lists. Ireland will use the onMay21, 1978;sugm><;T,· :t,, ., .,, ,.. United Kingdom will have 81 seats Single Transferable Vote. forScotlandonJune5 1<.·. ... each; the Netherlands 25; Belgium 24; Denmark 16; Ireland 15; and In the United Kingdom, the electoral Luxembourg 6. arrangements are contained in the • These 'Euro'-cons:,;u,·: European Assembly Elections Act, 1978. of roughly 8 House,.· • The Parliament will be elected for a constituencies gr n,. ·· fixed term of five years (i.e. the • The 81 seats will be distributed: second elections will be in June 1984). England 66 e A final decision '" Scotland 8 will be taken t,, : • For at least the first elections, each Wales 4 probably bef (" country will decide on its own system N. Ireland 3 of voting. • England, Scotland and Wales will be • WestminstP • For later elections, however, a divided into single-member seats, such matte,· common voting system will be with election by simple majority and deposit devised. ('first-past-the-post'). nomination.

Parliament's Powers .-·:i-:;_, The formal powers of the European Parliament after the elections will be exactly the same as those of the I ' present Parliament, described in this r, 'r booklet. ( Indeed, the British European t Assembly Elections Act specifically 81 81 81 81 i states that the European Parliament's I powers can only be extended in the • • • • i future if Westminster passes a British •••• •••• •••• •••• l Act of Parliament saying so. •••• •••• •••• •••• l The French legislation on the elections •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• ••• •••• tf. contains a provision to the same •••• •••• ••••• •••• effect. •••• •••• •••• •••• •••••••• •••• •••• •••• f •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• 25 •••• •••• •••• •••• 24 •••• •••• •••• •••• • •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••••HHi •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• ••••ee«H~i What does Who are the Members now? it do?

The Common Market h;:is four main The present European Parliament has institutions. 198 Members, of whom the United Kingdom is entitled to 36. ( See diagram.) The Commission makes proposals The Members of the Parliament are for action and, when a decision to act not yet directly elected. Instead, they are has been taken, sees that it is carried nominated by the various parliaments out. of the member States from among their The Council of Ministers is the own ranks - in the case of the United ultimate decision-taking body. It repre­ Kingdom, from both the Commons and sents the national governments. the Lords. Britain's delegation (in May 1978) The Court of Justice is the final comprises 18 Labour Members (12 court of appeal in any case covered by from the Commons, 6 from the Lords), the Common Market treaties. 16 Conservatives ( 12 from the The Parliament's function is to Commons, 4 from the Lords), 1 Liberal exercise democratic control over these (from the Commons) and 1 Scottish institutions and over the legislative National Party MP from the Commons. _ process. ( For individual names see back page.) How does it The Committees work?

The European Parliament does not sit in Unlike Parliament at Westminster - but 'investigatory' meetings on particular continuous full session - that would be very like county, district and borough problems, questioning Community impossible so long as its Members also councils in Britain - the major working officials and outside experts - a have national parliamentary responsi­ unit of the European Parliament is the procedure now growing in importance. bilities. Instead sessions are held for, on specialised committee. The committees Committees also make on-the-spot average, one week in each month. work, roughly, on a fortnightly cycle, enquiries into local problems. The These full meetings, however, are and one committee or another is in Regional Policy and Transport only a small - though the most public - session on almost every working day of Committee, for instance, has visited part of the Parliament's work. In order to the year. As in the case of local councils, Ireland, both North and South, to carry out the detailed scrutiny of Com­ this is where the bulk of the Parliament's examine possibilities for regional munity affairs, and to reflect the political work originates: the full sessions are development; and has toured British opinions of the European public, the largely taken up with debates on reports ports and development areas. Parliament is organised in two key ways: from the committees. Like • specialised standing committees; Congressional committees in the United • political groups. · States, the committees also hold special , ~o~ w. I\ -... w; ' Political affairs Legal affairs Economic and monetary Budgets affairs

Social affairs, employment Agriculture Regional policy, regional Environment, public health and education planning and transport and consumer protection oww -•cc cc The political groups

A visitor to the European Parliament in In addition, there are a few Labour Members headed by John full session will find the Members seated, independent Members. Prescott. not on opposite sides of the Chamber as The larger the group, the greater the at Westminster, but in a continuous E u 0 0 C: ~ say it has in, for example, choosing 0 0 Cl.. 0 .0 "O 0 semi-circle facing the President's chair. Country u V) u w u ::i E f- the chairmen of committees. These This does not mean, however, that there Belgium 5 7 2 14 considerations are also of major is no party system. On the contrary, Denmark 1 4 2 2 1 10 significance in deciding who is to major powers within the Parliament are France 5 10 3 9 9 36 prepare and present reports. wielded by the second key units: the Germany 15 18 3 36 Spokesmen from the political groups . political groups. Ireland 1 3 6 10 have priority in debates. In addition, the organisation of the Parliament's Italy 12 5 15 2 2 36 An official political group within the business - for example, the agenda for Luxembourg 2 2 2 6 European Parliament must consist of at plenary sessions - is determined by the r least 14 Members (or of 10 Members Netherlands 6 5 3 14 'enlarged Bureau' of the Parliament: the provided they are drawn from three or United Kingdom 18 16 1 36 President, the 12 Vice-Presidents l more countries). At present there are Total 18 66 53 17 18 23 3198 (appointed on the basis of party balance) six groups: and the political group leaders. During full sessions Members sit in Each political group has a permanent Communists and Allies these party groups - not in national secretariat based in Luxembourg, who Socialists delegations - with the Liberals, from the help in the preparation of policies, Christian Democrats (People's Party) viewpoint of the President (or Speaker), political research, etc. These secretaria: European Progressive Democrats on the right and the Communists on the are paid for directly out of the European Conservatives left. At present the Socialists are the Parliament's own budget. Liberals and Democrats largest group, including 18 British

Emilio Colombo Giorgio Ludwig Egon Geoffrey Christian Jean-Franc. President Amendola Fellermaier Klepsch Rippon dela Malene Pintat Communists Socialists Christian European European Liberals and Allies Democrats Conservatives Progressive and Democrats Democrats

The President of the Parliament is The political group leaders are elected by elected for a one-year, renewable term their respective groups

The political groups Parliament sits in political groups, not in national delegations: Communists on the left, liberals on the right .. ' ''Community laws

Parliament's formal role in the process of European Parliament than at Westminster, 4 Report to the House. The community legislation is for the most where Members usually see draft laws Committee's final report is presented by part consultative. Before reaching a only when fully-detailed bills are put the rapporteur for debate in the final decision on a Commission proposal, before the House. Parliament as a whole at one of the the Council of Ministers almost always monthly 'plenary' sessions. Further 2 Reference to the Parliament by the consults the Parliament. But the treaties amendments can still be presented; and Council. When the Commission has do not oblige the Council to take any the Commissioner responsible is usually drafted its proposals formally, it submits asked to reply to the debate. notice! them to the Council. Immediately, the Parliament's real role in the legislative (Representatives of the Council of Council forwards them to the Parliament process, however, is very much more Ministers are often present as well, and for its opinion. influential than this procedure would may speak.) The debate ends with a vote lead one to believe. The Treaties enable 3 The committee stage. The proposal on the formal resolution contained in the the Commission to alter its proposals at then goes directly into one of the twelve report. Individual Members are a great any time before the Council has reached specialised committees, where a · deal less subject to party 'whips' than at a final decision. So it is primarily rapporteur is appointed to prepare a Westminster. through its influence over the Com­ draft opinion and amendments. Each of 5 Return to Council. The ·opinion' (i.e. mission that Parliament is able to the political groups is likely to hold the resolution) of Parliament is then sent amend and even initiate legislation. parallel meetings to determine an c._ to the Council. Meanwhile, however, appropriate 'party line'. Community laws are made in five The committee stage of legislation in the Commission will usually incorporate stages. the European Parliament, as compared the Parliamentary Committee's findings to that at Westminster, is remarkable for into its own proposals; and it is on these 1 Preparation of proposals. This is that the Council has to decide. formally the prerogative of the Com­ the detailed involvement of the mission. In practice, there are often Commission. On one side of the table sit consultations at a very early stage the committee members; on the other between the responsible department of the Commission officials - and perhaps the Commission and the appropriate the Commissioner responsible for the parliamentary committee: tt is also field concerned - who have to explain possible for the committee itself to and defend their proposals. Interest propose legislation through an 'own groups who may not have brought their initiative' report, calling on the point of view to the attention of the Commission to take action. The real Commission at an earlier stage can do so influence of MPs over the preparation of here by briefing members of the legislation is even greater in the committee or, on occasion, at committee 'hearings'.

How Community laws are made The Commission Course of legislative proposal The legislative process consists of Possible 'owri initiative' proposal formal proposals and informal - consultations. (Numbers refer to the - Dialogue with Commission 5 stages detailed above) Political groups formulate policies --- and press them in debate Possible amended proposal

The Council 4,• l {

•I ..I ...~ • • ,, .. - What power has the Parliament?

National parliaments usually possess Second, Parliament is steadily described. In addition, there have been three main powers: increasing its control over the in recent years the first steps towards a e to dismiss the government; Community's budget - some £8,250 true system of Parliament-Council • to grant or withhold supply: i.e., vote million in 1978. Until recently, 'co-decision' (much as the Houses of the budget; Parliament had a say over only 3 per cent Commons and Lords share legislative e to participate in law-making. of the total. Now Parliament is able: power in Britain). A conciliation Although there is no true Community 1 to have the last word on all 'non- procedure now exists not only for government, the European Parliament obligatory' items: about 25 per cent passing the Community budget, but also already has, in some measure, each of of the total; for all legislation with budgetary these rights. 2 to reject the budget as a whole. consequences. Joint meetings of the Council and delegations from Parliament In the event of a disagreement First, Parliament can dismiss the 13 are taking place on both budgetary and between Parliament and the Council of Commissioners. To do so it must pass a non-budgetary matters. Ministers there is a formal conciliation Parliament's powers are likely to be motion of censure by a two-thirds procedure. majority, and with over half the steadily extended in the future. The Parliament has also pressed for better Members (i.e., over 99) voting in favour. summit conference in December 1974 financial control in the Community to So far, Parliament has no say in their decided, in particular, to increase stop, for instance, fraudulent claims for appointment, which is the responsibility Parliament's competence in the agricultural subsidies. At its insistence, a of the national governments. But the Community's legislative process. new Community institution - the Court Commission is responsible to the of Auditors - has been set up to Parliament for its actions and supervise how Community taxpayers' policies - this is why individual money is spent. Commissioners take part in the debates of Parliament and its Finally, Parliament has the formal role in committees. Community law-making already

What power have What power the Members? have you?

In national parliaments, the power of cannot prepare the answers in If you, as a member of the public, have a the individual Member rests chiefly on advance. problem, you have several routes to the the ability: European Parliament. Oral questions, usually with debate, • to extract information from the at plenary sessions. These form the First, you can get in touch with an powers that be; and individual MP: in the case of the UK • to raise in public debate viewpoints, second most numerous items on the agenda, and provide a mechanism for through the Commons or the Lords. issues and scandals. This is also true of the individual holding short discussions on matters of Secondly, you can make contact European Parliament Members. topical interest, rather like 'adjournment through the secretariat of a political debates' in the House of Commons. group - virtually every point of view in Parliament has from the beginning been Topics discussed have varied, for the European political spectrum is able to debate any matter covered by example, from European defence or catered for. the Community Treaties. In addition, it Chile, to the protection of migrating wild has established the right to raise other birds. Thirdly, on specific matters, you can subjects: for instance, foreign policy and contact the appropriate committee; its defence. Since 1970 the 'Davignon Motions for debate. These are usually chairman; or the rapporteur responsible, referred to the appropriate committee, Committee' of representatives from Or, fourthly, you can petition the member States' foreign offices has but can be held immediately in plenary session if urgent. Any five Members can Parliament as a whole by writing to 1tc. reported to the Parliament's Political President. Any individual or group can Affairs Committee, as has the Council of also institute an emergency debate at the end of question time. submit a petition - even those from Foreign Ministers. The Parliament has countries outside the Community - 1/.11 established formal links with the Written questions. At any time a deals with matters for which the parliaments of the countries (over 50) Member may table such a question to Community has a responsibility. associated with the Community; and either Council or Commission. The All full sessions of the Parliament are with the United States Congress, the answers are published in the publicly­ open to the general public, and v1s1tors Canadian Parliament and the Latin­ available Official Journal of the are always welcome. American parliaments. Community. Last year, Members put A number of ways exist in which down 878 written questions. Members may question, in public, both Questionnaires. Parliament's the Commission and the Council of committees are making increasing use Ministers, and raise matters for debate. of detailed questionnaires to the Question Time in plenary sessions. Commission or Council. One recent As at Westminster, the real sting lies in example put 62 questions to the the oral 'supplementary questions' to Commission on the activities of the .. ' Where • is it?

The provisional headquarters of the committees meet. Committees and headquarters of the Council of Europe Parliament is in Luxembourg, the political groups also visit most other (a~ organisation of 20 member countries smallest of the nine Common Market parts of the Community - for example, quite separate from the Common countries. A great deal of the the Socialist Group recently held a Market) and which the two institutions Parliament's work, however, is carried meeting at Newcastle upon Tyne. still share. out in the French city of Strasbourg, The Parliament's meeting place in where half the full sessions take place; Strasbourg is the Palace of Europe, In addition, the Parliament has an and in Brussels, where parliamentary opened at the beginning of 1977 as the information office for each country.

European Parliament Headquarters in Luxembourg Parliament in session in Strasbourg The Palace of Europe in Strasbourg

Languages Documents

One major problem for the European Reports of the debates in the European· In addition, the London office itself Parliament is language. There are at Parliament can be obtained in a number publishes a selective 'European least a dozen vernacular languages of forms. A verbatim transcript - called Parliament Report' within about a week. within the Community. Fortunately, the 'rainbow' because each speech is in This can be obtained free on request. only six are officially spoken within the the language in which it was delivered The reports of committees and other Parliament: English, French, German, - is published by the Parliament within Parliam~nt documents are not usually Italian, Dutch and Danish. a day, like Westminster's Hansard. available to the public until they come However, if you visit a plenary session About a month later the official text, up for debate in full session. From time of the Parliament you will not have to translated fully into English, appears as to time, however, the Parliament or one understand the six languages: an Annex to the Community's Official of its committees produces a report simultaneous interpretation is provided Journal. These documents may be especially for public discussion. through headphones. All documents are consulted at the London office and the also translated into the six languages, Annex can be obtained regularly by and can be recognised by a colour code: subscription through HMSO at £19.20 a English/purple; French/blue; German/ year plus postage, and about £4 each. yellow; Italian/green; Dutch/orange; Danish/pink.