Visit by European Society to the European Commission in Storey's Gate, London on 29th November 2006.

EU Commission in UK

Greta Hopkins at the Commission, welcomed 13 boys from the European Society and described their questions as "brilliant". She was very impressed by the level of detailed knowledge the boys have on the EU and had to talk for 30 minutes longer than planned in order to accommodate many questions. We learned how the EU works and discussed issues that interest the year 12 boys such as the future of the Common Agricultural Policy, the nature of Democracy in the EU and how to influence policy. Some of the boys were Eurosceptic but discovered that economically, Britain has benefitted from membership over the past 23 years and is now one of the richest members despite only giving 1% of its GDP to the EU.

We discussed the impending inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria into the Union and how this will impact on the institutions of the EU, immigration, crime and the general economy. We also learned about areas of legislation that the EU has no power over, such as taxation, the right to declare war, enforce conscription or dictate the school curricula of member states!

All in all, a sunny afternoon in the beautiful surroundings of the Government buildings and St James' Park. We are now really looking forward to the debating forum at the Foreign Office.