PRIME MINISTER'S COMMITMENT TO SUBSIDIARITY

EDM number 379 in 1991-92, proposed by Alun Michael on 11/12/1991.

That this House welcomes the Prime Minister's statement that he is committed to the principle of subsidiarity, which is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as, 'the principle that a central authority should have a subsidiary function, performing only those tasks which cannot be performed more effectively at a more immediate or local level', but regrets that he appears not to understand the implications of such a commitment; notes that the principle applies with equal strength to relationships within the United Kingdom as it does to relationships within the European Community generally; notes that the principle has been breached repeatedly in the way this Conservative Government has undermined the work of local government and the independence of action of people elected by local communities to represent their interests; also believes that the Conservative Party has done great damage to public confidence within Wales by excessive use of unaccountable nominated bodies; and calls on the Prime Minister to recognise that the unity of the United Kingdom will be strengthened rather than weakened by a proper understanding and effective application of the principle of subsidiarity as well as a fresh commitment to democracy and accountability.

This motion has been signed by a total of 34 MPs, 2 of these signatures have been withdrawn.