§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what protocols exist on the operation of European parliamentary investigations being conducted within the United Kingdom. [65006]
§ Peter Hain[holding answer 27 June 2002]There is no protocol which governs the operations of European parliamentary investigations. Temporary committees of the European Parliament are set up under its rules of procedure. A Decision of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission sets out the detailed provisions governing the European Parliament's right of inquiry and the setting up of temporary committees of inquiry.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the power members of the European Parliament have to summon witnesses for inquiries that they are conducting within the United Kingdom. [65007]
§ Peter Hain[holding answer 27 June. 2002]Article 193 of the treaty on European Union provides for the setting up of temporary committees of inquiry.
Under the Decision of the European Parliament, Council, and the Commission on the exercise of the European Parliament's right of inquiry, temporary committees of inquiry may request member states to designate an "official or servant whom they authorise to appear before the temporary committee of inquiry, unless grounds of secrecy or public or national security dictate otherwise by virtue of national or Community legislation". This is without prejudice to any other provisions of the member states which prohibit officials from appearing.
The European Parliament may set up temporary committees under their own rules of procedure. Such committees can request witnesses and experts to make a statement or provide testimony. There is no obligation on those individuals to respond to that invitation.