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Battle begins on EU treaty debate MPs protest over EU treaty debate
(about 3 hours later)
MPs have begun a Commons battle over the amount of time they will have to debate the EU reform treaty. The government has faced protests as MPs began detailed debate on the bill to ratify the Lisbon Treaty.
Many believed they would get 20 days for line-by-line scrutiny of the plans, but now they are being offered 12 days. Ministers have set aside 12 days for debate on the EU (Amendment) Bill, but opposition parties are pushing for 18 days to allow more scrutiny.
Opponents are pushing an amendment for more time to debate the bill which ratifies the controversial treaty. In the Commons, Europe Minister Jim Murphy said the government had adopted a "structured, themed approach".
It comes as pro-referendum group Open Europe says it has leaked documents showing many of the powers being handed to Brussels have yet to be finalised. But Lib Dem spokesman Simon Hughes insisted the timetable was "alienating" even supporters of the legislation.
The debate - on how much time should be allocated to the European Union (Amendment) Bill - is expected to last more than six hours. A vote on the amount of time to be set aside for the bill is due at about 2200 GMT.
For and against Senior Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody said the treaty's transfer of powers from the Commons to European institutions on transport issues was not even mentioned in the government's daily subject headings for debate.
'Constricting'
Tory Sir Patrick Cormack said: "Frankly this isn't good enough. The fact is we now have such a constricting, constraining motion, that it is impossible for this to be properly debated.
"And those who have a preference for parliamentary scrutiny over referenda, as some do, are going to be denied their proper opportunity."
And Labour former minister Frank Field said some on his side felt a "certain apprehension" at the government's approach.
Mr Murphy said the issues could be raised during debates on the single market and EU institutions.
He added 12 days was equivalent to the combined time given to the treaties establishing the Single European Act, the Amsterdam Treaty and the Treaty of Nice.
Under the government's timetable there will be separate debates on issues like cross-border crime and justice; energy; human rights; climate change and the single market.
Referendum demands
The opposition wants more time for further debates on issues like the Charter of Fundamental Rights and provisions concerning national Parliaments.
MPs are due to be given different amounts of time each day to debate the bill - ranging from one and a half hours to discuss the measures on day two, to six hours during the bill's remaining stages in the Commons on day 12.MPs are due to be given different amounts of time each day to debate the bill - ranging from one and a half hours to discuss the measures on day two, to six hours during the bill's remaining stages in the Commons on day 12.
Rebel Labour MPs are expected to push an amendment calling for time to debate UK opt-outs, while the Lib Dems are expected to demand a referendum on the wider issue of Britain's EU membership. Prime Minister Gordon Brown signed what is now known as the Lisbon Treaty in December but Parliament must ratify it.
MPs would effectively be signing a blank cheque to the EU if they ratify this treaty without a referendum Neil O'BrienOpen Europe
The Tories and some Labour MPs are opposing the bill. The Labour and Lib Dem leaderships are in favour of the treaty.
Mr Brown signed what is now known as the Lisbon Treaty in December but Parliament must ratify it.
It replaces the EU Constitution, which was abandoned in 2005, but on which Labour had promised a referendum.It replaces the EU Constitution, which was abandoned in 2005, but on which Labour had promised a referendum.
The government says a referendum is not needed for the new treaty as it does not have significant constitutional implications The government says this is not needed for the new treaty as it does not have significant constitutional implications.
Opponents led by the Conservatives accuse Labour of breaking their promise by not holding a referendum on what they say is essentially the constitution under a new name.Opponents led by the Conservatives accuse Labour of breaking their promise by not holding a referendum on what they say is essentially the constitution under a new name.
The debate comes as the Eurosceptic think-tank Open Europe claimed it had obtained a document that said Britain would not be able to stop any changes made after the treaty is approved. The debate comes as Mr Brown is due to host an economic summit in Downing Street on Tuesday with the leaders of France, Germany and Italy.
President Blair?
Director Neil O'Brien said: "Much of the Lisbon Treaty is about giving the EU the power to create new institutions and arrangements and to decide on how they will actually work in practice at a later date.
"Many of these crucial decisions will be made by majority voting, so the UK is unlikely to be able to stop any details it doesn't like the look of."
Tony Blair would be an excellent president. I don't know whether he wants the job. Gordon BrownUK prime minister
Open Europe says it is hoping to "embarrass" Mr Brown over his refusal to hold a referendum on the EU treaty, when he hosts a summit on the economy with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Jose Barroso on Tuesday.
The protests come as speculation mounts that Tony Blair could become the first permanent president of Europe.
Mr Brown told BBC's Politics Show: "Tony Blair would be an excellent president. I don't know whether he wants the job.
"It's really a matter for him. He hasn't said to anybody whether he wants the job or not and it really is a matter for the future. It's not a matter for me."