§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What arrangements exist, or have been agreed by the Government, for pre-scrutiny of items expected or formally tabled at the meetings of the Council of the European Union and Community; whether any distinction is made within those meetings on actions or decisions made on powers contained in the Union and Community treaties respectively; and whether they consider that any such arrangements comply with the standards of visibility and transparency expected in the United Kingdom and the European Union respectively. [HL2584]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe Government are committed to effective scrutiny. New arrangements were introduced to extend and improve scrutiny on 17 November 1998. Information is provided to the Scrutiny Committees of both Houses about items on the agenda of forthcoming Council meetings. The Government also send to Parliament proposals for European legislation coming before the Council of Ministers as well as other documents which may have important policy, legislative or financial implications, under all three pillars of EU activity.
The long preparation of decisions coming to Council meetings means that the differing procedures and powers under each of the treaties is fully taken in account, and it is clear under which treaty the action is being taken. Most Councils, with the exception of the General Affairs Council, deal with areas which fall either under the Treaty on European Union or the Community treaties, but not both.
The Government believe that Parliament is now more fully and promptly informed about forthcoming decisions and published documents, and that UK scrutiny arrangements compare favourably with arrangements in many other EU member states.