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  European Union Bill (Programme)(No. 2) - Clause 1 - Interpretation of Part 1
  
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  The majority of MPs voted against adding the following text to the end of clause 1[1] of the European Union Bill:
  
  :'(7A) References to "the Committee" are to the European Union Referendum Committee as established by section [European Union Referendum Committee] below.'.
  
  If the amendments under discussion had been approved, a European Union Referendum Committee would have been introduced, which would have had to recommend to Parliament whether or not to hold a referendum on each EU treaty amendment.
  
  Attacking the amendments in his speech before the division, David Lidlington, Minister for Europe, said[2]:
  
  :'[the amendments] would deny both Parliament and the people the additional powers and controls which I believe Parliament and people in this country want to see.'
  
  Further, he said:
  
  :'If accepted, the Opposition's amendments would leave it open as to whether a move to join the euro was significant, a move to give new competences to the European Union was significant, a move to give up our border controls and take part entirely in a European immigration system was significant, or a move to join a European public prosecutor system was significant.' 
  
  The question of significance is important because it is the criterion which determines whether a referendum would have been required.
  
  * [1] [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmbills/106/2011106.pdf European Union Bill â including Clause 1]
  *[2] [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2011-01-24a.125.1 David Lidlington's Speech]
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  