§ Mr. George OsborneTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the areas under the third pillar of the EU treaties to which co-decision with the European Parliament(a) applies and (b) does not apply. [18440]
§ Peter HainThe third pillar, or Title VI of the Treaty on European Union, contains provisions for co-operation between member states in the fields of police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters. There are no areas under the third pillar to which co-decision with the European Parliament applies. However, within Title VI, under Article 39(1) of the Treaty on European Union, the Council is required to consult the European Parliament before adopting any measure referred to in Article 34(2)(b), (c) and (d). These measures are
framework decisions for the purpose of approximation of the laws and regulations of the member states;decisions for any other purpose consistent with the objectives of Title VI: andconventions which the Council shall recommend to member states for adoption in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements.Article 39(2) requires the Presidency and Commission regularly to inform the European Parliament of discussions in the areas covered by Title VI. Article 39(3) says that the European Parliament may ask questions of the Council or make recommendations to it, and that each year it shall hold a debate on progress made in the areas referred to in Title VI.