MPs should vote on putting EU reform to referendum, says Miliband

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Mr Miliband told the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) that there would be no provision for a referendum in the Bill ratifying the Treaty, which replaces the failed European Constitution.

But he indicated that he had no doubt Speaker Michael Martin would allow an amendment calling for a referendum to be taken to a vote on the floor of the Commons.

Giving evidence to the FAC today, Mr Miliband said: "I expect to be participating in a debate and a vote on a motion to have a referendum on the passage of the Reform Treaty.

"I don't think anyone should expect otherwise, but I am not going to say that I have decided... in the place of the Speaker about what should happen."

Mr Miliband's comments represent a clear indication to Mr Martin that ministers do not wish to block any amendment tabled by an opposition MP - or even a Labour backbencher - calling for a referendum on the Treaty.

The Foreign Secretary restated the Government's position that there was nothing in the Treaty of enough constitutional significance to warrant a referendum.

The Treaty was different from the constitution rejected by Dutch and French voters in 2005 in its structure, its contents and its consequences, he said.

But he appeared to accept that the Government had not done enough to persuade the electorate of its case responding to a question from Labour MP Fabian Hamilton about how the voters could be informed of the merits of the Treaty, Mr Miliband said: "I think if you are saying we need to do a better job of explaining it, fair dos."