§ Lord Pearson of Rannochasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 27 February (WA 127), what were the last three occasions upon which, as a result of the application of the principle of subsidiarity, action at member state level was chosen; and by whom such a choice was made. [HL1327]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)The treaty establishing the European Community provides that, in areas which do not fall within its exclusive competence, the Community shall take action in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity only if the objectives cannot be sufficiently achieved by the member states.
The institutions of the Community are required by the Amsterdam Protocol on the Application of the Principles of Subsidiarity and Proportionality to ensure that the principle of subsidiarity is complied with.
It is not possible to specify the last three occasions on which the principle was applied. The institutions are required to apply it constantly. Its successful application means that often proposals for EC action are simply not brought forward.
The Commission prepares an annual report on the application of subsidiarity. Its last report, entitled Better Lawmaking 2000 and available in the Library of both Houses, provides specific examples of how the principle is put into practice.