§ Roger CasaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to increase the role and influence of national parliaments in EU decision-making. [22081]
§ Peter HainIn line with a November 1998 White Paper, the Government have already strengthened the arrangements for Westminster's scrutiny of EU business.
In Warsaw last year, the Prime Minister called for a greater role for national parliaments in EU decision-making. Subsequently, the Nice European Council agreed that this question would be one of the main agenda items for the next Intergovernmental Conference in 2004. The Laeken European Council on 14–15 December is expected to agree that the preparations for this IGC will be taken forward by a Convention consisting of, among others, national parliamentarians.