European Union Bill

House of Commons

Session 2004 - 05
Internet Publications
Other Bills before Parliament

European Union Bill

European Union Bill

EXPLANATORY NOTES
Explanatory notes to the Bill, prepared by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, are
published separately as Bill 45—EN.
EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Mr Secretary Straw has made the following statement under section 19(1)(a) of the
Human Rights Act 1998:
In my view the provisions of the European Union Bill are compatible with the
Convention rights.

Bill 45
53/4

European Union Bill

Bill 45
53/4

European Union Bill

Contents
Part 1
The EU Treaty
1
Revision of meaning of “the Treaties” etc.
2
Parliamentary approval for Treaty changes
3
Statements on subsidiarity
4
Amendments of enactments and continuity
Part 2
The Common Foreign and Security Policy
5
Implementation of common foreign and security policy
Part 3
Referendum on the EU Treaty
6
Holding a referendum
7
Entitlement to vote in the referendum
8
Legal challenge to the referendum result
Part 4
Supplemental
9
Financial provisions
10
Supplemental provisions
Schedule 1   —
Definitions relating to the European Union etc
Part 1   —
Substitution of new Schedule of definitions
Part 2   —
Application of definitions to enactments generally
Schedule 2   —
Modification of enactments etc. and continuity provisions
Part 1   —
Amendments of the 1972 Act and related savings

Bill 45 53/4

European Union Bill
iv

Part 2   —
Specific modifications of enactments other than the 1972 Act
Part 3   —
Modifications of general application
Schedule 3   —
Conduct of the referendum
Schedule 4   —
Repeals and revocations