HL Deb 08 May 2000 vol 612 c197WA
Lord Pearson of Rannoch

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will set out the number of (a) directives, (b) regulations and (c) other legislative instruments issued by the European Union in each of 1997, 1998 and 1999. [HL2176]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

A full list of legislation adopted by the European Union in 1997, 1998 and 1999 is laid out in the Commission's annualGeneral Report on the Activities of the EU for the relevant year.

Copies of the relevant reports are available in the Library of the House.

Lord Pearson of Rannoch

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider that European Union legislation is becoming "less, but better"; and, if so, upon what basis. [HL2177]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

In recent years progress has been made in reducing the volume and improving the quality of EU law. The Commission'sBetter Lawmaking Report 1999 highlights the importance it attaches to complying with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. There has been a decrease in the number of proposals for new legislation, from around 60 in 1990 to around 40 in 1998. The number of proposals extant has also fallen, from almost 800 in 1990 to about 500 in 1998. There remains scope for improvement, and the Government will continue to take a leading role in pursuing more effective and proportionate legislation.