BETTER OFF OUT

Government admits loss of working time opt out would cost "£ Billions" in lost pay

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In reply to a written question from the independent Labour Peer, Lord Stoddart of Swindon about whether the European Commission is considering ending Britain's opt out of the Working Time Directive's restrictions on the working week, the Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, Lord Young of Norwood Green (for the Government) has admitted that the 'Loss of the individual's right to opt-out of the 48-hour maximum working week (as set out in the working time directive) would cost billions in terms of lost pay to individuals'.

Commenting on the Government's response, Lord Stoddart said, "It is rare for the Government to commit itself as far as this on the potential cost of EU legislation, though I am less than happy about the wording of its commitment to retaining the opt out.  'Would not support the end of the opt-out' is a long way from saying that it would vigorously oppose its removal.  It sounds rather too much like a resigned acceptance of the slightly unpalatable.  The right to decide how many hours to work in a week should remain a matter for the individual, not the Government and certainly not the unelected European Commission.  That such matters could end up being decided by another diktat from Brussels is a shameful reflection on the declining state of democracy and personal freedom in this country."

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• Britain's working time directive 'opt-out' under threat (telegraph.co.uk)

Lord Stoddart backs Tebbit line on voting

Lord Stoddart of Swindon, an independent Labour Peer and BETTER OFF OUT supporter is pressing the government to come clean about the amount of legislation passing through Westminster, which originates in Brussels.  This follows recent revelations in Germany that the figure there is as high as 83%. In a written question on 18 May, Lord Stoddart asked the Government to reconsider its previous refusal to undertake the necessary research, in light of the proximity of the European "Parliament" election.

Lord Malloch-Brown, for the Government, explained the apparent difficulties in carrying out the research and fell back on the excuse that it would cost too much.

Commenting on the written exchange, Lord Stoddart said: “I am appalled at the Government’s refusal to have this vital research carried out. It would appear that German voters are allowed to know but British voters are not, which cannot be right. Britain’s membership of the EU requires it to allow the unelected European Commission to have a major role in our affairs, including foreign policy, defence and immigration.

“This is inimical to our interests and the British people need to know the full impact of this before voting in the European Election. If they feel that Britain should be governed by the European Commission, then they should vote accordingly. However, if they believe in democratic, self-government then they should not vote for pro-EU candidates. In the present situation, they cannot make an informed decision and I have no hesitation in endorsing the advice Lord Tebbit recently gave on voting preferences at the European election.” (not to vote for the traditional political parties or the BNP).

“I shall continue to pursue the Government on this and I will next be asking for an estimate of the cost of the research.”

Government admits Common Agricultural Policy is 'very inefficient'

In response to a written question raised in the House of Lords (12.1.09) by the Independent Labour Peer, Lord Stoddart of Swindon, the Defra Minister Lord Hunt of Kings Heath has admitted that the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is "very inefficient at providing ongoing support to farmers" and that market price support cost EU consumers around €37 billion in 2007 (£33.6 billion) but only 10% actually reached farmers.

Commenting on the response from the Government, Lord Stoddart said:  "Reform of the CAP remains an elusive dream for the Government but meanwhile its grotesque cost and inefficiencies continue unabated.  The CAP always was unjustifiable but in the present economic climate it is scandalous and an insult to hard pressed farmers and consumers."

EU Select Committee costs the taxpayer over £2 million a year

Lord Stoddart of Swindon, a leading BETTER OFF OUT signatory, has exposed the enormous annnual cost of running the House of Lords European Union Select Committee through a written question.  The Committee cost the taxpayer a staggering £2,043,000 in the financial year of 2007-08.

Commenting on the answer he received, Lord Stoddart, an Independent Labour Peer, said:  "I was expecting it to be a large sum of money but I was quite taken aback when I saw the actual figure, which beggars belief.  All the more so, since I cannot recall a single instance in which the deliberations of the European Union Select Committee have had any effect on governmental or EU policy.  This is a colossal waste of money which cannot be justified at a time when the economy is in such dire straits and so many people are suffering as a result.

"I am also concerned to note that Lord Grenfell, who could be relied upon for a degree of impartiality,  has resigned as Chairman of the Committee and been replaced by Lord Roper, who is an ardent Europhile.  This will almost certainly make the Committee an even bigger white elephant."