UK Parliament / Open data

European Union Bill

Proceeding contribution from Lord Hannay of Chiswick (Crossbench) in the House of Lords on Tuesday, 22 March 2011. It occurred during Debate on bills on European Union Bill.
Will the noble Lord reflect on his use of the words ““competence”” and ““power””? He seems to be talking about cases where there is already a competence and a power to the European Union but where the decisions have to be taken by unanimity, and that that might be changed to qualified majority. I readily understand that that is a significant change, but it is not the granting of a power or competence to the European Union; it is already there. I am sorry, but I think I am right in saying that he is misusing those words all the time, as he is with the word ““veto””, which is not a word known to European legislation. One either takes decisions by unanimity, in which case all member states have to agree, or by qualified majority.

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

726 c603 

Session

2010-12

Chamber / Committee

House of Lords chamber
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