MEPs CRITICISE COUNCIL SECRECY PROPOSALS

2.13.06pm GMT Tue 20th Dec 2005

EU ministers are to approve British proposals to curb the secrecy which

cloaks their discussions, but the measures have drawn criticism from MEPs

for failing to ensure that draft laws will always be debated in public.

Leaders of all parties in the European Parliament joined last September in

calling for the UK Presidency to take the initiative in opening up

meetings of the Council to public scrutiny. The plans now agreed fall

short of this measure, though they leave open the option for action by a

future Presidency.

Liz Lynne, Liberal Democrat MEP for the West Midlands, accused ministers

of missing the opportunity to allow greater scrutiny of EU

decision-taking.

She said: "Instead of openness and transparency we are going to get still

more EU decisions taken in secret behind closed doors.

"It will be left to the whim of whoever sits in the Presidency chair to

decide whether or not the public should be allowed to listen to debates

between ministers. The microphones will be left on when the Swedes are in

charge and turned off whenever the French take control.

"The pity is that Britain had a chance to make a permanent change and gain

credit for being on the side of the citizen. To change the standing

orders only 13 votes out of 25 are needed, but it has never been put to a

vote.

"The door has been left open but an opportunity has been missed."

ENDS.