Mr. McCartin expressed views on the Committee of the Regions, which could be a very valuable body if it was used more to look at legislation and help our MEPs. The number of MEPs in this country will fall. The members of the Committee of the Regions are members of local auth orities who have their fingers on the pulse in dealing with all local authority matters. Their positions should be made full-time, with a specific remit of ensuring that legislation is properly vetted by the country they represent.