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GAZETTE
JULY-AUGUST
1979
these weaknesses, because it is these deficiencies that have
contributed, it is true, to the slowing-down of the
momentum of die Community and to growing doubts as
to its continuing internal dynamism. If these deficiencies
are not overcome the loss of momentum couíd become a
permanent source of weakness. The Treaty is notably
weak in the section on economic policy. There is a
notable absence of the kind of provisions with respect to
the co-ordination of economic policies in member States
that would be essential if full economic union was to be
achieved and there is a lack of adequate provisions with
respect to monetary policy.
Another deficiency was the implied assumption that
seems to run through the Treaty that exchange rate
stability could be readily maintained between member
Countries. The founders of the Community were also
over-optimistic in expecting that decisions would be taken
quickly and that the consultative Assembly would quickly
establish itself. We must be clear-sighted about the
deficiencies of the Treaty seeking in the immediate future
to minimise their impact on future progress and then to
think about alterations or amendments to the Treaty
which will form a basis for progress in the years ahead.
I will now examine several other factors which hope-
fully will pave the way for greater unity within the E.E.C.
and ultimately within Europe. In June the first direct
elections to the European Parliament will take place. In
certain Countries there has been a certain amount of mis-
giving over these elections, in some cases amounting to
almost outright opposition. People have questioned the
value of holding such elections and what they will
achieve. In Articles 138 of the Rome Treaty it is clearly
stated that "the assembly shall draw up proposals for
elections by direct universal suffrage." But it has taken a
long time to honour this commitment. However there is
an overwhelming case for holding direct elections to the
Parliament of the Community. The Community's
performance is based solidly on the principles of
representative democracy. One of the most necessary and
essential elements of such democracy is that those who
make decisions should be subject to control and scrutiny
by the representatives of those in whose name decisions
are made and plans carried out. At the moment many
decisions are taken at Community rather than National
level. If the Community is to develop and greater unity is
to be achieved more important decisions will have to be
taken at Community level than in the past. National Par-
liaments already scrutinise and control the activities of
their National Governments within the Community and
to a certain degree the activities of the Community itself.
But it is simply not possible to scrutinise and control the
whole of Community decision making and plan-
ning at nine National levels. National Parliaments
elected on national issues have a full time job as it is —
and in my opinion, Commun i ty decisions and
Community decision makers can only be controlled by a
Community Parliament elected solely for Community
tasks by Community Constituents. Also the problem of
Politicians serving two Parliaments must be looked at -
While they might appreciate the two salaries they might
not be able to fulfill their duty adequately at home and in
Europe.
In all the member States there is a certain resentment
against the bureaucrats of Brussels, remote figures who
basically appear to take insensitive decisions which effect
everyone and these people are apparently accountable to
no-one. If the Community is to move forward and achieve
more, then the ordinary citizen of the member States must
get more involved in the whole European concept and feel
that his voice is being heard in Burssels. The issues which
are decided there must be made more real to him and the
means by which they are decided more clear. I do not
think a nominated Parliament can achieve this but a
directly elected Parliament may be able to do so. How-
ever, all must recognise that the new Parliament must
play a bigger role in the Community process than the
existing Parliament.
Turning to the challenge of the Community's own
enlargement. Recently three new democracies in Southern
Europe have applied for Membership. They have done so
partly because they wish quite legitimately to share
in the economic advantages which membership of the
Community can give to them. But their motives are not
chiefly economic for there are greater and more pressing
motives for seeking membership. They are seeking
membership because for them as for us the Community
represents a gathering together of a Europe, a Europe
with its commitment to representative democracy social
justice and human rights. They see membership of the
Community as being membership of a powerful body
whose voice will be listened to and respected. It would be
too easy for us to say that Greece, Portugal and Spain are
far away and can take care of themselves. To hold such a
view, in my opinion, would be a great mistake. Greece,
Portugal and Spain have every right to join the
Community. They have all made contributions to
European civilisation which can be compared to those
made by existing Member States. To reject European
Countries entitled and qualified to join would not only be
a betrayal of the Treaty upon which the Community is
founded but also make a mockery and a farce of all the
underlying principles and aims to which the Community
is dedicated.
Enlargement of the Community augurs for the greater
unity of Europe. But let us not deny that the enlargement
will create difficult problems for us all. But in the
Community we are not either losers or gainers according
to some narrow profit and loss account. In fact we all
gain - Adaption will be necessary but adaption was
necessary before, and took place, and the result was
eventually good for all. I see no reason whatsoever why
current fears of competition in the Industrial or
Agricultural fields should be any more soundly based. On
the industrial side the effects of Greek, Portuguese and
Spanish membership could be to contribute that stimulus
to our economies which is badly needed and on the
agricultural side, their membership will coincide with
necessary and overdue changes in the balance of the
Common Agricultural Policy between North and South,
designed to bring more sense and greater equity into the
system as a whole. Enlargement carries many perils. If it
does not succeed the future of Greece, Portugal and Spain
could be greatly affected. Hopefully it will bring about re-
inforcement of our institutions and stimulate economic
growth and necessary change. The result is far from
certain.
But a fact which is certain is that political unity
requires economic stability as a basis. This has been made
all the more difficult in the face of the economic pressures
of the last few years. As a result the national economic
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