British Plan For Parliament Of West

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28267, 3 May 1957, Page 9

British Plan For Parliament Of West

(Rec. 8 p.m.) STRASBOURG, May 1.

Britain today placed before the Council of Europe a plan for a single Parliament, embracing all the Atlantic Treaty Powers, including the United States and Canada. This “grand design” was outlined to the Consultative Assembly, on which sit representatives of 15 nations, by Mr David Ormsby-Gore, British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. British official sources said in London tonight that the proposed Parliament would include three existing assemblies—the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Assembly of the Western European Union, and the NA.T.O. Conference of Parliamen-

tarians—but not the Assembly of the European Coal-Steel Community, whose executive functions made it different in kind from the consultative body which the British plan envisaged. It was claimed that by combining the three existing bodies in one parliament, the time of Europe’s parliamentarians would be saved, and some frustration and overlapping could be avoided. The proposed Parliament would have direct relations with existing bodies such as N.A.T.0., the West European Union, and 0.E.E.C., but it would have no executive power. Mr Ormsby-Gore said that the British plan was not cut and dried, but the Assembly should

be able to agree on these aims: (1) To bring the activities of the various European and Atlantic organisations to the attention of their peoples at home; (2) To expose the inter-govern-mental activities within these organisations to constructive parliamentary criticism: and (3) To stimulate member governments of the Western Alliance to be vigilant in its defence and in striving to strengthen and improve it. "BAXTERISE" THAT COLD! Do it now, before the winter! Baxters Lung Preserver clears congestion—relieves from the first dose. Baxters penetrates farther, faster. Safe for young and old—children love the flavour. Sold everywhere. Baxters Ltd., Chch. —Advt