Duff calls on British Government to address the Federal Question

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PRESS STATEMENT

Release Immediate 21 March 2002

DUFF CALLS ON BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS THE FEDERAL QUESTION

Andrew Duff, spokesman on the Convention for the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Group (ELDR), will tomorrow present the main Liberal proposals for the Convention.

Duff, who chairs the Liberal caucus in the Convention, will say that the success of the Convention should be judged on its ability to ask itself and answer "the federal question - who does what, and how, in Europe".

He will welcome M. Giscard d'Estaing's proposal to try to achieve a broad consensus on a single constitutional text. In the drafting, the Liberal imperative in the Convention will be to enhance the capability of the Union to act effectively at home and abroad.

Andrew Duff says the Convention poses special problems for the UK government. He hopes it will "shape up to the federal question" and come down firmly on the side of building "a post national parliamentary democracy in a more united Europe".

Duff, who is also Vice-President of the European Parliamentary delegation to the Convention, will oppose UK plans to give more executive power to the Council and to create a third legislative chamber made up of national MPs.

He repeats his long-held support for the entrenchment of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Duff will also propose the establishment of three Convention working groups to draft proposals on (1) the constitution and the question of competences; (2) revision and simplification of the existing treaties; and (3) sub-treaty reforms, including the quality of legislation.

ENDS/... Contact: Andrew DuffÕs gsm (0044 7703 471 659) or Guillaume McLaughlinÕs gsm (0032 478 201 299). onal Convention on the Future of Europe.

Contact: Andrew Duff on 00 44 77 03 471 659 or Guillaume McLaughlin on 0032 478 201 299.