European Parliament
MacCormick (Verts/ALE ),
in writing
President Pat Cox at the opening of today's session indicated that MEPs obliged to depart for Brussels on Convention business might lodge a statement of their position on the Member's Statute despite their necessary absence from the vote. Here is mine:
With regret, I am unable to support the draft Statute of Members in the form in which Parliament adopted it on 3 June. I would therefore have voted against today's legislative resolution, and as shadow rapporteur I advised my Group in this sense. I am unable to go along with the rejection of the 'Belgium compromise' amendment that would have allowed national income tax on an MEP's salary, and the rejection of a strong statement on a revised and transparent expenses system. I also have grave reservations about the sweeping provisions suggested for Members' immunity.

