§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on the proposals set out in the European Commission Green Paper on Procedural Safeguards for Suspects and Defendants in Criminal Proceedings throughout the European Union (COM (2003) 75(01)); and if he will make a statement. [112154]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthThe Government are considering the extent to which action at ED level on these matters is appropriate. The Green Paper published by the Commission does not contain firm proposals for action but rather identifies certain basic rights and poses a number of questions about the setting of minimum standards in these areas. The Government believe that any future proposals for EU measures should be based on the principles of mutual recognition and subsidiarity and assist the process of tackling cross-border crime by ensuring that suspects or defendants are not discriminated against when subject to criminal proceedings in another EU country.