§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 7 February (WA 112), at what stage in the preparation of agendas of European Council meetings are the scrutiny committees of both Houses of Parliament apprised of each item of business; and whether, in respect of framework decisions, clearance by Her Majesty's Government is given, or withheld, at the stage of the framework agreement or at the time of the specific proposals for its implementation. [HL3195]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThere is no formal agenda for European Council meetings. However, the committees are informed three weeks before a Council of Ministers meeting of items expected to appear on the agenda. As soon as the agenda becomes clearer, departments provide a detailed assessment to the committees of the main agenda items.
As with all other EU legislation, Framework Directives Decisions and any subsequent secondary legislation are provided to the scrutiny committees in line with agreed guidance.
§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 7 February (WA 112) concerning matters on the agenda of formal meetings of the European Council, what is their practice in respect of parliamentary scrutiny of proposals which have not so far been scrutinised by any such procedures and which are given political approval for subsequent detailed negotiation or legislative or executive implementation. [HL3196]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe Government have given Parliament an undertaking that Ministers will not agree to proposals in the Council of Ministers unless scrutiny has been completed. In exceptional circumstances, e.g. where the national interest would be damaged by delaying agreement, the Minister responsible will write to the scrutiny committees explaining the special reasons for which scrutiny was overridden.