To understand what an Assembly for
Wales, or any other of the 12 silly little Regional Assemblies, will really
mean requires reading the
relevant Articles
[263 265] of:
The Consolidated Treaty
Establishing
The European Community,
Title II, The Treaty Establishing The European Community, Part Five,
Title I, Provisions Governing The Institutions, Chapter 4, The Committee Of
The Regions:
ARTICLE 263 (ex Article 198 a)
A Committee consisting of representatives of regional and local bodies,
hereinafter referred to as the Committee of the Regions, is hereby
established with advisory status.
The number of members of the Committee of the Regions shall be as
follows:
Belgium 12; Denmark 9; Germany 24; Greece 12; Spain 21; France 24;
Ireland 9; Italy 24; Luxembourg 6; Netherlands 12; Austria 12; Portugal 12;
Finland 9; Sweden 12; United Kingdom 24.
The members of the Committee and an equal number of alternate members
shall be appointed for four years by the Council acting unanimously on
proposals from the respective Member States. Their term of office shall be
renewable. No member of the Committee shall at the same time be a Member of
the European Parliament.
The members of the Committee may not be bound by any mandatory
instructions. They shall be completely independent in the performance of their
duties, in the general interest of the Community.
ARTICLE 264 (ex Article 198 b)
The Committee of the Regions shall elect its chairman and officers from
among its members for a term of two years.
It shall adopt its Rules of Procedure.
The Committee shall be convened by its chairman at the request of the
Council or of the Commission. It may also meet on its own initiative,
ARTICLE 265 (ex Article 198 c)
The Committee of the Regions shall be consulted by the Council or by the
Commission where this Treaty so provides and in all other cases, in
particular those which concern cross-border co-operation, in which one of
these two institutions considers it appropriate.
The Council or the Commission shall, if it considers it necessary, set
the Committee, for the submission of its opinion, a time-limit which may not
be less than one month from the date on which the chairman receives
notification to this effect. Upon expiry of the time-limit, absence of an
opinion shall not prevent further action.
Where the Economic and Social Committee is consulted pursuant to Article
262, the Committee of the Regions shall be informed by the Council or
the Commission of the request for an opinion. Where it considers that specific
regional interests are involved, the Committee of the Regions may issue an
opinion on the matter.
The Committee of the Regions may be consulted by the European
Parliament.
It may issue an opinion on its own initiative in cases in which it
considers such action appropriate.
The opinion of the Committee, together with a record of the proceedings,
shall be forwarded to the Council and to the Commission.
In short that pretentious load of
Eurospeak boils down to Wales will have no authority, no say, no
representation & there will be 444 extra representatives to pay for in Europe.
Plus, of course, all their staff and all their expenses - but no more
democracy and no more control over the un elected dictator committee the
European Commissioners.
Let us look at what it means point by
point:
Let us assume that what was the United Kingdom decides to give two memberships on this new Committee and two alternates
to each of the twelve economic regions, in the British economic subsidiary
region of Europe. Wales would then have two votes, in isolation, out of 222
votes on the Committee of the Regions, less than 1% influence. To add insult
to injury MEPs representing Wales are outnumbered 100 to 1 in the European
Parliament, less than 1% influence again. This is what being master of ones
own destiny and having an Assembly for Wales means for the people of Wales and
every other, of the 12, economic regions in Britain.
There are some, I am sure, who honestly
believe that an Assembly for Wales is a good idea for Wales.
Some will welcome the removal of benevolent control, albeit sometimes
misguided, from Westminster surely they can not welcome direct rule by the
un elected dictator committee that rules Europe, the European Commissioners.
Some may feel that two more tiers of Government will help Wales, I can not for
the life of me see how the more tiers of Government the further from the
electorate decision
If
you require further assistance or information, for the defence of Britain,
please do not hesitate to contact us:
Greg Lance Watkins,
The Welsh Assembly,
C/o Glance Back Books,
17 Upper Church Street,
CHEPSTOW,
NP16 5EX
Monmouthshire
Tel: 01291 626562
Fax: 01291 628787
e-mail: Greg@GlanceBack.demon.co.uk
Please visit http://www.silentmajority.co.uk for more information