HL Deb 05 May 1999 vol 600 cc87-8WA
Lord Stoddart of Swindon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What additional powers were given to the institutions of the European Union, and what powers were extended, under the provisions of the Amsterdam Treaty. [HL2072]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The Treaty of Amsterdam changes the role of the institutions in a number of ways. The European Parliament's role as co-legislator in some areas of Community legislation is strengthened by the extension of co-decision to eight new treaty articles and 15 existing ones. The EP's assent is needed before sanctions are imposed on a member state under new Article 7 TEU. The EP is also given a right to approve the nomination by member states of the Commission President, as well as of other members of the Commission.

The Council is given a new, but restricted, power to conclude international agreements in the fields of the Common Foreign and Security Policy and Justice and Home Affairs.

The Commission is given a right of initiative in relation to police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters. The Commission President is given an equal say with member states in the selection of other Commissioners and a role in exercising political guidance over the work of the Commission as a whole.

The European Court of Justice is given a new but limited role in relation to the third pillar under new Article 35 TEU.

The Court of Auditors is given a right of recourse to the ECJ to protect its prerogatives. Its right to audit the handling of EU funds by intermediaries and final recipients is clarified; and its right to audit Community expenditure and revenue managed by the European Investment Bank is given a clear legal base.