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MPs protest over EU treaty debate | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The government has faced protests as MPs began detailed debate on the bill to ratify the Lisbon Treaty. | |
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. | |
In the Commons, Europe Minister Jim Murphy said the government had adopted a "structured, themed approach". | |
But Lib Dem spokesman Simon Hughes insisted the timetable was "alienating" even supporters of the legislation. | |
A vote on the amount of time to be set aside for the bill is due at about 2200 GMT. | |
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. |
Prime Minister Gordon 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 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 Mr Brown is due to host an economic summit in Downing Street on Tuesday with the leaders of France, Germany and Italy. | |