IN each of five years up to and including 2006, a cross-section of 100-plus people has been asked questions about the EU. Very few had any depth of understanding of its functions. Ten per cent were very strongly against it. About 30 per cent thought that it seemed to be doing a good job and 60 per cent wanted more information before passing judgement.

One contentious issue concerned the Commission, whose members are not elected because that would give them independence from national governments.

Knowledge of how it works is at about the same low level as any other bureaucracy, but it is smaller in size than many government ministries.

It is not a decision-making body, but is bound on oath to carry out the wishes of member states. The real decision-making body is the Council of Ministers who have to take into account the debates in the European Parliament and wishes of national parliaments.

Actions mutually beneficial to all members are in the province of EU law, such as the European Arrest Warrant and the treatment of the disabled who travel by air. Once items have become law, the Commission has a duty to monitor their enactment.

Bill Morehead, Darlington.