5. We have given further consideration to the following on the basis of further information from the Government. We no longer consider that it raises questions of political importance:--
H M Customs & Excise
(17276)
7425/96
COM(96)225 |
Commission Opinion on the European Parliament's proposed amendments to the Council's Common Position on a proposal for a Decision adopting an action programme for Community Customs (Customs 2000). |
| Legal base: |
Articles 100a and 113; co-decision; qualified majority voting. |
Background
5.1 When we reported on this proposal on 17 July[10], we noted that the Government considered that six amendments, in four groups, proposed by the European Parliament gave rise to difficulty. They were:
-- an amendment to the title of the proposal implying incorrectly the existence of a Community Customs Service;
-- recitals on the strengthening of the internal market, which the Government considered inappropriate in the context of the proposal;
-- requirements that the twelve-star EC symbol should be worn by officers of the customs administration of the Member States; and
-- the suggested creation of a European school for higher customs studies; the Government took the view that customs training policy is an area of national competence and that a common training school is not appropriate.
5.2 We asked the Government to provide us with further information.
5.3 We have now received a document and an Explanatory Memorandum,[11] informing us of the agreement of a joint text by the Conciliation Committee set up under the co-decision procedure, which resolves the areas which were of concern to the United Kingdom. The present document is thus overtaken by events. As we note in paragraph 6 below, the joint text does not raise matters of legal or political importance.
Conclusion
5.4 We no longer consider that this proposal raises matters of legal or political importance.
10. See HC 51-xxvi, paragraph 17. Back
11. (17664) PE-CONS 3625/96.Back
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