§ 22. Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new steps he is taking to improve communication between the national parliaments of Europe. [79968]
§ Ms QuinThe Government strongly support improvements in communication between the national parliaments of Europe and between Westminster and the European Parliament.
In particular, the Government have recently extended the scheme which enables MPs to visit EU institutions so that it now includes visits to national parliaments of EU Member States. Such visits will complement the step change initiative which the Government have instigated in relations with our European partners.
In addition, our European embassies regularly advise and make arrangements for UK parliamentarians and Select Committees who wish to make contact with national parliamentarians across Europe.
The entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty, with the Protocol on National Parliaments, on 1 May will further enhance the role of national parliaments in the EU.
Closer links between national parliaments improve knowledge and awareness of European issues in Westminster and enable Westminster's views to be heard more clearly across Europe.